Face masks will be required in shops, shopping centres and markets throughout Zurich from August 27.
Announced at a press conference on Monday, the decision has been made to help control the rising number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the city and around Switzerland. This makes Zurich the second German-speaking canton to enforce mask-wearing in shops, after Basel.
Further safety measures for Zurich were also announced at the press conference. Restaurants, cafes and other catering establishments now need to collect customers’ details, and bars and clubs must limit the number of people to 100 indoors or 300 in total spread across indoors and outdoors. That limit also applies to sporting events, theatres, cinemas, concerts and private events, including weddings and birthdays.
It is possible for larger events to take place, but only if strict safety measures are in place. The exact details of what this entails are a little hazy, but it includes maintaining social distancing of 1.5 metres or face masks being worn.