All Hotel Staff in Wengen Tested for Covid-19
21st February 2021
Last modified on May 13th, 2021
It comes as several cases of the South African and Brazilian variants have been found in the Swiss ski resort. The spread of the variants will determine whether restrictions can be eased next month in Switzerland.
“Due to the presence of several positive cases of the South African and Brazilian variants among staff at different hotels in Wengen and given the impossibility of retracing the contamination chains, the cantonal doctor’s service has ordered that every member of hotel staff at the resort should be tested,” said a statement from the cantonal health authorities.
Those tests have been carried out over the weekend, some 300, and currently no positive cases have been detected.
The medical authorities are also encouraging guests at the hotels to get tested.
Back in January there were several cases of the British variant and the Lauberhorn race had to be cancelled.
After extensive testing the resort was said to have contained any spread.
On Friday 19th February, Switzerland recorded 1,021 cases of the coronavirus – down by 20% on the same day the previous week.
The number of cases of the different new variants is rising and causing growing concerns.
One Friday in Switzerland it was 7,320 – up from 6,966 the previous day.
The new coronavirus variants are thought to be around 50% more contagious.
Earlier this month testing was carried out in three ski resorts in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.
The Swiss authorities are currently considering a relaxation of coronavirus restrictions at the beginning of March.
Much will depend on the spread of the new variants of the virus as ski resorts remain open and the holiday period has its impact.
Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
