Government to consider changing naturalisation rules; 400 Swiss trains could be contaminated with asbestos; and more news in our roundup this Monday.
Switzerland to study changing its naturalisation rules
Criteria for obtaining Swiss citizenship vary from one canton to another.
Therefore, the Federal Council has commissioned a study to determine in which cantons the basic conditions for naturalisation are easier to meet, and where they are not.
The government emphasised that the cantons should jointly examine “opportunities for simplification and harmonisation” of their rules before any changes could be made.
READ ALSO: Which Swiss cantons and communities naturalise the most foreigners
Hundreds of Swiss trains could be contaminated with asbestos
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will have more than 400 older trains inspected for the presence of asbestos and other harmful substances.
The vehicles in question were built before 1990, at a time when asbestos was still permitted in Switzerland. Between 2026 and 2030, several thousand samples will be taken, according to SBB spokesperson Moritz Weisskopf.
SBB will spend 1.4 million francs on the analyses, which will be carried out by a specialised company.
Based on the results, they will develop a decontamination and disposal plan for the harmful substances, the implementation of which is budgeted at 3.5 million francs.
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After Basel loses cruise tourism, government relaxes visa regulations
Many river cruise ships depart from Basel, sailing down the Rhine to Cologne and on to Amsterdam.
However, this year Basel authorities discovered violations when crew members from third countries such as the Philippines or Indonesia failed to present valid work permits.
The problem: In order to obtain a Swiss work permit, staff from third countries must work in Switzerland for at least ten days – but very few employees on Rhine ships meet these conditions because they only remain briefly in Basel.
The federal government is now easing visa regulations.
According to Daniel Buchmüller of the Association of European River Cruise Operators. “With the new regulations, we will see more river cruise ships in Basel next year.”
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Starting today: National Vaccination Week in doctors’ offices and pharmacies
Switzerland’s first ever National Vaccination Week replaces the National Flu Vaccination Day.
It will take place this week, from November 10th to November 15th.
Anyone wishing to be vaccinated can receive advice and vaccines against influenza, Covid, and – in some cases – for the respiratory virus RSV at participating doctors’ offices and pharmacies.
READ ALSO: Where can you get a Covid and flu vaccine in Switzerland this autumn?
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