Got a cold? What you should consider now.

The SSHE is increasingly receiving enquiries about how to deal with ETH members who have tested positive for coronavirus or have cold symptoms. This is because SARS-CoV-2 and numerous other respiratory viruses are still circulating in the population. In some hospitals, masks are once again compulsory for contact with patients. What rules apply at ETH Zurich and what is the federal government's endemic strategy?

Behaviour in the workplace

Outside the hospital, no special protective measures are necessary in the workplace. At ETH, we rely on the official recommendations of the external page Confederation and the cantons. ETH employees with cold symptoms work from home if possible and avoid contact with people who are particularly at risk. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, rest and sleep may be advisable to improve the healing process of the cold. You can return to work if you are symptom-free. A persistent dry cough does not count as a symptom.

In the event of waves of infection during the current cold season, there may be a shortage of appointments for medical consultations due to possible overloading of the outpatient healthcare system. Supervisors are therefore advised to be accommodating in the event of short absences due to colds in order to prevent unproductive presenteeism and infections in the company and to relieve the burden on the healthcare system. At ETH, a doctor's certificate is required from the fourth day of absence at the latest. People who are particularly at risk should seek advice from their doctor if they have cold symptoms.

If, for operational reasons, attendance work is necessary when symptoms occur and the ability to work is maintained, an FFP2 mask without a valve should be worn and, if possible, a minimum distance of 1.5 metres should be maintained from other people.

Covid tests and certificates

Covid tests are no longer provided for outside the healthcare sector and are not reimbursed. We recommend that companies no longer carry out tests and have any tests still in stock disposed of in a pharmacy. The certificate system was definitively discontinued on 1 September 2023. The yellow vaccination booklet or a screenshot of the certificate can be used as proof of vaccination for international travel, which some countries require.

Strategy of the federal government

Covid has now gone from a pandemic to an endemic. This means that SARS-CoV-2 has become endemic in Switzerland and a larger proportion of the population is falling ill regularly. The endemic strategy adopted by the FDHA in autumn 2023 comprises three areas of action and various measures:

• Monitoring the situation (SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses): Wastewater monitoring, Sentinella GP system (whereby selected GP practices report suspected cases to the FOPH), mandatory reporting system. The aim is to detect changes in the epidemiological situation at an early stage.
• Prevention: Information and access to external page vaccination, especially for people at particularly high risk. Vaccination is still available free of charge and is recommended for people over 65 and people aged 16 and over with chronic illnesses. A new Covid-19 vaccination is not recommended for people under 65 without risk factors. The right time for the Covid-19 vaccination is seasonally in autumn from mid-October. It can be combined with the flu vaccination, which is recommended for a similar target group.
• Infection control of viral respiratory diseases in retirement and nursing homes.

These measures are intended to reduce the health burden on the population caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, protect particularly vulnerable people and prevent the healthcare system from being overburdened.