Switzerland announces tighter restrictions to tackle second COVID-19 wave
CGTN
Passengers wearing face masks on board a plane at Geneva Airport. /Getty Images

Passengers wearing face masks on board a plane at Geneva Airport. /Getty Images

A set of tougher health restrictions are set to come into force in Switzerland as authorities scramble to get ahead of a second wave of coronavirus infections in the country.

The measures were announced by the government on Sunday following an extraordinary meeting.

The wearing of masks in all indoor public places will be mandatory, and will apply to shops, banks, churches, and cinemas.

Additionally, the order to have people wear masks on public transport was extended to cover train stations, airports, bus and tram stops.

Gatherings of more than 15 people in public places will be prohibited from Monday. People have also been advised to work from home if they can.

According to Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga, the measures will be in place indefinitely to protect both the population and the economy.

Sommaruga said the coronavirus infection rate had increased at a "very quick rate".

"Unlike before it is affecting all cantons and all age groups," Sommaruga said during a press conference in the capital Bern.

"With winter coming it is very important to slow the spread of the virus now. Every day counts."

She added that even tougher measures will be implemented should the existing ones fail to work.

Swiss Minister of Health Alain Berset, meanwhile, reaffirmed the presence of the second wave of the coronavirus in the country. On Friday, authorities reported the country's highest daily number of infections (3,105) since the outbreak began.

"I can say that over the last 10 days, the second wave is here... It has come rather earlier and stronger than we thought, but we are prepared for the situation," Berset said.

Switzerland has reported more than 74,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,800 deaths.

(With input from Reuters)