Switzerland has ordered restaurants, bars and shops to close down from 7pm across much of the nation, the government said, as the country continues to face a persistently high level of Covid-19 infections and deaths.

The government said regions less badly hit by the pandemic would still be allowed to have locations open until 11pm, in the measures which go into effect on Saturday.

The exception would apply to cantons which had a virus reproduction rate below 1 and an infection incidence below the national average over at least a week, according to Reuters.

The measures, decided after discussions between the government and local authorities, also affect events and cultural activities which have been restricted to groups of five people.