Coronavirus COVID-19: Legal issues

by Manuel Werder, Valerie Meyer Bahar

The new coronavirus COVID-19 (short for coronavirus disease 2019) has spread worldwide in recent weeks. Infections have occurred in Switzerland, numerous European countries and the USA; China, Iran, South Korea, Singapore and Italy are particularly affected.

The Federal Council classifies the situation in Switzerland as a special situation under the Swiss Epidemics Act and has temporarily banned major events involving more than 1,000 people until 15 March 2020. Some cantons have already adopted more far-reaching measures.

This newsletter contains an overview of legal issues arising in this context in the areas of labour law, contract law and corporate law.