Sex Workers Get Back To Business In Switzerland But Told To Social Distance

As Switzerland relaxes its lockdown measures, it reserves a special place for sex workers, which can resume from 6 June. But sports, including boxing and ballroom dancing will remain forbidden.

Sex work is legal in Switzerland, where around 20,000 such workers are registered. Red light districts exist in Geneva and Zurich, though are less famous than Amsterdam's De Wallen, which remains closed.

"From 6 June, strip clubs may also reopen and services offered by sex workers may resume," the Swiss government announced on Wednesday (27 May).

There is even special advice to help brothels get back to business in the age of coronavirus. Where advice for business in Switzerland is to "leave doors open if possible to avoid touching them", the sex workers' industry body, Prokore, acknowledges that "in order to safeguard the privacy of sex workers and customers, room doors in companies cannot be left open."

But guidance goes beyond just brothels. Safety measures have also been outlined "if the service takes place in the vehicle". (In case you're wondering, the sex worker needs to make sure the vehicle is ventilated for at least 10 minutes and note down the vehicle registration.)

Bizarrely, social distancing is not exempt from sex work. "During the service, there must be a distance of at least one forearm between the heads of the two people," says the guidance. Some customers might be disappointed though as "services with two or more customers are not offered."

The irony of this was not lost on Alain Berset, the Swiss Health Minister, who told a press conference, "I am well aware of the bizarre aspect of my answer." Though he added that "erotic services could have resumed earlier."

Switzerland has contained coronavirus more effectively than neighbouring France and Italy. New infections for the past week have remained below 20 per day in spite of shops, restaurants and schools being open for several weeks now.

From Friday (30 May), gatherings of up to 30 people can take place and from 6 June events for up to 300 go can go ahead, as can live music, swimming pools and spas.

However, Swiss-style wrestling (Schwingen), judo, boxing and dancing in pairs are likely to remain prohibited until 6 July, as will other sports "involving continuous, close physical contact."