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Information to fight Coronavirus

Save lives by spreading prevention messages in several languages

Switzerland has been in an extraordinary situation since Monday March 16. The number of cases of COVID-19 is increasing rapidly. The entire population is concerned and must urgently adopt responsible behavior. In order to limit the number of seriously ill and not to overburden our health system, we must act together and show solidarity.
Getting essential messages across multiple languages helps to save lives, as information helps raise awareness of this serious problem and thus promotes responsible and civic behavior.

The aim is: to slow down the spread of the epidemic, protect people at increased risk of complications (i.e especially vulnerable people) and thus to allow health services to better  manage severe cases. Particularly vulnerable people are those over 65 years and those who are already suffering from an illness.

Messages to be widely disseminated:

The Federal Council is the government of Switzerland.

The Federal Council’s message of recommendation is:

« Stay at home, especially if you are sick or aged 65 and over, unless you have to go to work and can’t work from home, unless you have to go to the doctor or pharmacy, unless you have to go shopping or help someone. The Federal Council and Switzerland are counting on you »

On the website of the Federal Office of Health (FOPH) /https://foph-coronavirus.ch/downloads/ the most important informations is constantly updated in several languages (Albanian, Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese), Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian and Turkish). Other languages (including Farsi, Kurdish, Somali, Tamil and Tigrinya) will follow according to the Lausanne Office for Immigrants (BLI).

Please distribute these key messages to people who do not speak French and beware of unverified news.

Be responsible and in solidarity with vulnerable people.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

The editorial staff of Voix d’Exils

 

First-hand informations about Coronavirus (in english)

Swiss coronavirus infoline:

To carry out a pre-diagnosis yourself and not overload the emergency services: https://coronavirus.unisante.ch/en

Number for the population: 058 463 00 00, every day, 24 hours a day

Number for health professionals: 058 462 21 00 every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

International:

World Health Organization (WHO) site https://www.who.int/en

Federal State:

Federal Office of Public Health: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home.html