Double-barrelled surnames are making a comeback in Switzerland; MPs revise teleworking rules; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.
Council of States approves the return of double names
Married couples or registered partners should be able to have a double-barrelled surnames again – with or without a hyphen.
However, more than two names will not be permitted.
This means that divorced or widowed people can no longer use their previous surname in a new marriage
The right to double-barrelled names was abolished in 2013, but moves toward re-instating them have finally paid off.
National Council rewrites the home office rules
This is what MPs decided on Tuesday regarding teleworking:
The right not to be reachable during the daily rest period and on Sundays (the so-called ‘right to disconnect’), which has been implicit until now, will be explicitly included in the labour law, including for those who work in the office.
The maximum period during which daily teleworking must be provided will be 17 hours, compared to the current 14.
The minimum daily rest period would be reduced to nine hours, provided that, over a four-week period, the current 11 hours are respected.
This rest period may also be interrupted to perform an urgent task, if necessary.
Teleworking on Sundays will also be permitted for five hours a day, on a voluntary basis, during nine Sundays per year.
Advertisement
SBB advises against Italy-bound travel
Due to weather conditions in northern Italy – namely, torrential rain and flooding – “road and rail traffic has been severely affected,” the company said, adding that rail services on the Chiasso–Milano Centrale route have been suspended.
“Travellers who do not have to go to northern Italy urgently are advised not to travel,” the SBB said.
Alternately, Italy-bound passengers should travel via the Simplon route to Milano Centrale instead.
These restrictions are in place until tomorrow, September 25th.
Advertisement
A new wave of Covid is hitting Switzerland
The number of medical visits for respiratory infections is currently much higher than in the same period the last two years and Covid is one of the main culprits.
According to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), 101 consultations (per 100,000 inhabitants) are currently recorded.
By comparison, there were 69 at the same time last year, and 59 in 2024.
“Covid has become significantly more common in recent weeks,” said Christoph Flux, an infectious diseases specialist, adding that the “virus is constantly mutating.”
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
