COVID-19 information and measures for companies in Western Switzerland
New coronavirus: situation in Switzerland and abroad
On this page of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH ), you will find the number of people infected with the coronavirus or who have died as a result of the disease, and the report on the epidemiological situation in Switzerland.
Measures taken by the Confederation
Protecting the population is the Federal Council's top priority. It has declared that Switzerland is currently in an "extraordinary situation" within the meaning of the law on epidemics. The whole country is affected, and everyone must assume their responsibilities.
For this reason, the Federal Council is issuing stricter measures for the population, organizations and institutions, and the cantons. The aim is to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, protect people at particular risk, and ensure the supply of healthcare and therapeutic products to the population. You can find all the information you need on this page.
In view of the economic consequences of the coronavirus, the Federal Council is making a total of CHF 20 billion in liquidity aid available to companies in Switzerland : the transitional credits (COVID-19 credits) provide unbureaucratic, targeted and rapid assistance to affected companies. Please submit your application for a transitional credit via this website. In addition, the Federal Council has already approved measures for short-time working andloss-of-earnings allowances to cover wage costs.
Information from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
The Federal Council has decided on a comprehensive package of measures to mitigate the economic consequences of the spread of the coronavirus. More than CHF 40 billion are now available, quickly and unbureaucratically. These measures, which are aimed at different target groups, are designed to avoid redundancies, thereby safeguarding jobs, guaranteeing salaries and supporting the self-employed. They must have a rapid and effective impact. They must also be able to be discontinued when the recovery begins.
A dedicated page where you'll find answers to questions about: coronavirus-related job losses, billions in emergency aid and short-time working compensation, reduced working hours, the Pandemic Plan - A Manual for Business Preparedness, bonding for SMEs, and other useful links.
SECO Infoline for companies: o58 462 00 66, Monday to Friday 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Contact form or e-mail: coronavirus@seco.admin.ch
Recommendations for professionals
The recommendations for the workplace are aimed at both employers and employees. Together with the Confederation's reinforced measures, they have an impact on the workplace.
These measures and the present recommendations for professionals are designed to :
- curb the spread of the new coronavirus,
- guarantee the supply of care and
- protect the vulnerable.
These prohibitions and regulations apply not only to employers, but to the entire Swiss population. Find out more here.
Canton of Berne
A Business Information page is constantly updated.
The Berner Kantonalbank (BCBE) is releasing CHF 50 million to support SMEs in the canton that have been strangled by the coronavirus. The measure is aimed at SMEs with liquidity problems that are in contact with the bank. The windfall complements measures decided by the Swiss Confederation. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are invited to contact their customer advisor. Extraordinary loans will be limited to a maximum of CHF 200,000 per customer.
Canton of Fribourg
On March 16, the State of Fribourg issued a press release answering frequently asked questions from companies and employees. The government intends to grant interest-free loans through the Banque cantonale de Fribourg (BCF). It is also allocating an initial envelope of CHF 50 million for companies.
Hotlines: The Promotion économique du canton de Fribourg (PromFR) has opened a "Loans and Bonds" hotline from Monday to Friday, 8am to 12pm, and 1pm to 5pm. Tel: 061 202 02 04 / 026 304 14 10. A "Business closures" hotline is also in place for concerned professionals: 026 552 50 90.
The CCIF can also be contacted at info@ccif.ch. Its website contains a special COVID-19 page aimed specifically at companies.
The Public Employment Service (SPE) is the competent body for all questions relating to the coronavirus in the workplace, including the processing of RHT applications, and offers you all the support you need at 026 305 96 57 or at the following address: juridique.spe@fr.ch
The www.promfr.ch/covid-19/ website is kept up to date with the latest developments in relation to the Confederation's measures.
Canton of Geneva
A software robot is at your disposal to guide you as quickly as possible and in a scalable way in your requests for support related to the coronavirus crisis. Click here to use the chatbot.
In addition to this interactive platform, DG DERI has set up a call center dedicated exclusively to companies: hotline 022 388 34 34Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 12:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
At this stage, a number of support measures are available to companies facing a drop in activity as a result of the coronavirus. These are subject to change:
- Reduced working hours (RHT)
- Cash advance
- Interest-free loans to businesses, the self-employed and sole traders
- Deferral of tax instalments
For more information, please visit our dedicated corporate page.
Canton of Jura
An "economy-employment-health-population" hotline is open between 9am and 4pm on 032 420 51 71.
See the page dedicated to companies.
The coronavirus@jura.ch address has also been set up to answer general questions.
Canton of Neuchâtel
The Banque cantonale de Neuchâtel (BCN) has set up a system of guarantees and loans. The Conseil d'Etat is implementing a complementary tool in the form of interest-free loans, for a total volume of CHF 30 million.
A hotline for employers has been set up to answer your questions: 032 889 68 60 / CoronavirusEntreprises@ne.ch
Further information on support tools and procedures is available on this page.
Canton of Vaud
The Vaud Cantonal Government will activate the Cantonal Unemployment Fund. The canton has released 150 million euros, including 100 million to protect treasuries and 50 million to increase the unemployment fund.
A status page entitled " Coronavirus - information for Vaud companies " brings together official sources of information on the measures in place and how to implement them: Canton directives, FAQ for Vaud companies, reduced working hours (RHT) - short-time working, bank loan guarantees, request for modification of 2020 tax instalments, other resources and practical advice in the event of a pandemic.
Also read the CVCI's advice to businesses.
Banque Cantonale Vaudoise has decided to suspend amortization of corporate loans on March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Read more
Canton of Valais
Reminder of prevention measures on the canton's website.
The Banque cantonale du Valais (BCVs) will be flexible when it comes to amortizing corporate loans, and will also make liquidity available.
Hotline 058 433 0 144 daily from 08:00 to 20:00
The Department of Industry, Trade and Labor has compiled all the relevant information on RHT applications for companies under: https: //www.vs.ch/web/sict/rht-coronavirus. Applications should be sent ONLY by e-mail to: sict-rht-ac@admin.vs.ch
If in doubt about the measures, information can be obtained at info.covid@ocvs.ch. This information is intended for professionals particularly concerned by the restrictions put in place to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. It is also available to the general public for all practical questions relating to these measures.
Useful contact details
On this Confederation page, you'll find various links and contact details: cantonal authority websites, infoline numbers and other useful sites.