Swiss sex workers offer just two sexual positions for safety during COVID-19 pandemic

As COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions are eased and regular life begins to resume, many businesses have had to introduce new operational rules to avoid the spread of the virus. 

That includes the sex work industry, with brothels forced to adopt new practises going above and beyond the usual requirements for safe sex. 

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According to reports, Switzerland's adult industry has been heavily hit by the pandemic, with the government placing a temporary ban on prostitution two months ago to help stop the spread of the virus. 

But this week the county's sex workers have drawn up a list of guidelines which they say will help stop the spread in the hope they'll be allowed to resume work.

According to local media outlet Watson, the guidelines include sex workers only partaking in positions which minimise the risk of "droplet transmission" and keep an appropriate distance between faces.

Those positions are "doggy style" and "reverse cowgirl/rider".

They allow the female worker will be able to face away from her sexual partner, "thereby avoiding face-to-face proximity", states the report. 

The document also mandates all brothels should provide gloves, condoms and disinfectants and ensure sessions do not exceed 15 minutes. It also advises sex workers not to touch any personal belongings of customers, such as jackets. 

Similar guidelines were provided to Kiwi sex workers by the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective when the nation moved into alert level 2, although regulations on sexual positions weren't clarified. 

Included in the list of guidelines are steps such as "avoid the 'moist breath zone' as much as possible", using gloves and masks where needed and to avoid work if you're suffering any cold or flu symptoms. 

Clients will also have to record their details for contact tracing purposes.