GENEVA , — The Swiss police have ordered the closure of a restaurant in a resort city after its owners failed to comply with a COVID-19 pass requirement. This has brought back tensions between some people who see such measures as violating civil rights.
Swiss media reported Monday that Zermatt police, a resort town located at the foot the Matterhorn peak, had swept into the 19th-century Walliserkanne restaurant and sealed it off. The owners had defied closure orders and continued to serve.
According to reports, the three owners were able to transform a stack of cinder block blocks that had been used by police to block the front door into a bar and allow patrons to enter the back.
This showdown highlights renewed tensions in Switzerland, and elsewhere, over government measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Some claim that they are encroaching on civil liberties. According to reports, dozens protested the arrests at the restaurant over the weekend.
According to police in the southern Wallis region, the restaurateurs refused closure despite attempts by authorities to have a dialogue with them. They also ignored warnings not to violate health precautions.
Like other European countries, Switzerland has taken several steps to combat the pandemic. For example, restaurant managers must request proof of recent vaccinations, recovery from the illness, or negative tests, before they can serve patrons.
The rich Alpine country, home to approximately 8.5 million people, has reported an average of 1,300 new COVID-19 cases in the last few days. This is up from 870 in mid October. However, average daily deaths have been below 10 since April.
