Fasnacht Update; Corona Outlook Improves; Road Vignette Reset

News For 18 January 2022

Last Tuesday we reported that Basel Stadt authorities were working diligently to determine if Fasnacht festivities can proceed in light of the latest developments with the Coronavirus pandemic.  The following day, the Swiss Federal Council presented its plans for the latest measures designed to prevent the spread of the virus.  In response the Fasnacht Comite, the organizing committee for Basel Fasnacht, announced that it expects to be able to carry out "various activities" between March 7-9, the usual date of the event, that would be consistent with traditional expectations for the carnival.  Specifically, the organizers are now confident that the event could kick-off with the Morgestraich (the 4 am lantern parade), and could host the Schnitzelbänke.

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Although Coronavirus infections in Switzerland are reaching record high numbers, the good news has been that hospitals and the health care system in general has not experienced any "overloading". The latest outbreak numbers are largely attributable to the increased virality of the latest, Omicron variant of the virus. Fortunately, it also appears that the variant does not cause severe disease, as one of its predecessors, Delta, does.  In addition, recent studies suggest that those having had booster shots of the available vaccines as opposed to being "only" fully vaccinated with 2 prior shots - now approaching 35% of the Swiss population - are 2/3 less likely to experience a breakthrough case of the disease.

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It's that time of the year again when the Swiss annual highway toll stickers (locally known as "vignette") from the prior year will expire.  As of February 1, if you are pulled over by the police on a highway without the new 2022 vignette, you can expect a 200 CHF fine.  The purple stickers are widely available and on sale at your local petrol refill stations, kiosks and concessionaires.  And for those of you that don't like to go to the trouble of removing prior years' vignettes because of the pretty rainbow effect multiple years' worth of stickers creates on your windshield, be forewarned: Apparently, the police can also cite you for having an obstructed windshield view, which can also carry a discretionary fine.