Switzerland plans to ease restrictions now in place to combat the coronavirus starting at the end of April, the government has said, adding the economic damage from the pandemic could be the worst on record.

“The government knows that our people, our families, companies, employees and self-employed people need a vision for the future, and they need it quickly,” President Simonetta Sommaruga told a news briefing.

The government said it would extend existing anti-coronavirus restrictions for another week to April 26, before looking at a gradual loosening of measures that now include border controls, restaurant closures and bans on gatherings of more than five people.

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