Children aged under 10 can visit elderly grandparents and give them a hug in Switzerland. The easing of the lockdown restriction comes after scientists said children of that age cannot pass on coronavirus.
The bold step on the continent could be a signal that primary schools could be allowed to return soon. Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health claimed children pose “no risk” to the elderly but said contact should be kept brief.
It follows research at Zurich, Bern and Geneva universities into infection rates among children. Coronavirus spokesman Dr Daniel Koch said: “We now know that young children don’t transmit the virus.” He said the few children who contract it are mostly infected by their parents.