Latest Swiss News Roundup: Fresh Updates on Friday's Headlines in Switzerland
Enjoying a relaxing Good Friday in Switzerland is a bit of a hit-or-miss, depending on where you are. In about 24 out of the 26 cantons, it's a full-on holiday, like Easter Sunday, meaning most businesses and shops are shuttered. So, if you fancy some retail therapy or want to grab a bite, head to Valais or Ticino – they're the exception to the rule.
If you're in Valais though, brace yourself for some inconvenience. A massive avalanche has taken a toll on the Grand-St-Bernard road, causing chaos. The tunnel linking Valais with Italy has been shut down since the damage was assessed, and user safety ensured. Another route toward Italy, the Simplon Pass, is also off-limits. The Federal Road Office (ASTRA) released a statement about this disruption, adding that the Grand-St-Bernard road's Toules tunnel on the Swiss side sustained some damage from the avalanche.
Unfortunately, due to the lingering threat of avalanches in the area, the tunnel will remain closed until further notice. The aftermath of the heavy snowfall that hit Valais has been quite disruptive. Let's hope for better days ahead!
Switching gears, the Citizens' Assembly, a body representing Switzerland's linguistic, regional, and demographic diversity, is pushing for a 'sugar tax' on certain foods and beverages. They believe that this move, along with six other health-promoting reforms they've adopted, will help promote health and, in the long run, reduce healthcare costs. They also want to strengthen health literacy, implement a national health law, and develop national information campaigns on health issues. The assembly's final report will be handed over to the Health Minister, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, on May 20th.
Lastly, there's some troublesome news for residents around Basel's airport. The drinking water in the area is heavily contaminated with toxic microparticles, four times the legal limit, due to PFAS-containing firefighting foam used in training exercises at the airport. Approximately 60,000 residents of Saint-Louis, France, close to the Swiss border, are said to be affected by this chemical, known to cause cancer and other illnesses. Stay tuned for more updates!
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- The Grand-St-Bernard tunnel, linking Valais with Italy, has been closed due to damage from an avalanche, which also caused chaos on the Grand-St-Bernard road and disrupted routes to Italy.
- The Citizens' Assembly in Switzerland is advocating for a 'sugar tax' on certain foods and beverages, as well as adopting six other health-promoting reforms to promote health, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen health literacy.
- Unfortunately, a significant amount of toxic microparticles, four times the legal limit, have been found in the drinking water of the basel airport area, impacting approximately 60,000 residents of Saint-Louis, France, near the Swiss border.
- Despite the disruptions of Easter holidays due to the heavy snowfall in Valais, Switzerland, visitors can find open shops and businesses in the cantons of Valais and Ticino, which are exceptions to the holiday rule.
