COVID-19 ORDINANCE 2: NEW MEASURES TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF VULNERABLE EMPLOYEES

On 16 April 2020, the Swiss federal government amended the Ordinance on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) (“COVID-19 Ordinance 2”) of 13 March 2020[1] and adapted the regulations for employers concerning particularly vulnerable employees, i.e. “High-risk employees”.

Who is a High-risk employee?

A High-risk employee is a person who suffers from hypertension, cardio-vascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, disease/therapy that weakens the immune system and cancer.[2] Affected employees must give notice to their employer that they are at high risk by a personal declaration. The employer may request a medical certificate.[3]

Obligation to take appropriate measures in the organisation of work

The Swiss government, based on its authority to legislate in cases of necessity, had decided on 17 March 2020 that High-risk employees should carry out their professional tasks from home and employers would take the appropriate organisational and technical measures to this end.

The full article is available here.

Contact the authors:
Alexander Troller
Sandrine Giroud
Carol Tissot

[1] RS 818.101.24.

[2] COVID-19 Ordinance 2, Annex 6.

[3] Art. 10c (8) COVID-19 Ordinance 2.