Covid-19: Swiss declare state of emergency

It follows both Spain and Italy, with France thought likely to follow suit (more may be announced on this tonight in President Macron’s address at 20.00).

Switzerland is making plans including allocating 8,000 military personnel to help with health services, logistics and security.

There will be border checks at the Swiss border with France, and people will only be allowed in if they are Swiss, have a Swiss residency permit or are travelling for work reasons. Transport of goods will also still be allowed.

Smaller customs posts are closing, to channel all traffic via the major ones.

Geneva airport was still open to access on the French side when we checked at 18.30, but it is advising that people planning to fly should contact their carriers to find out if their flight is operating to schedule.