Restricting access for overseas day-trippers at outdoor swimming spots in Switzerland
In the picturesque town of Pruntrut, Switzerland, a change has been introduced at the local public pool. The municipality, in an effort to ensure safety and maintain a peaceful environment, has limited access to the pool primarily for Swiss citizens and certain residents[1][3].
The pool, serving a population of approximately 6,000 inhabitants, has faced issues with inappropriate behaviour and disregard for rules, leading to the implementation of these restrictions[1]. This decision mirrors earlier measures during the COVID-19 pandemic when foreign visitors were barred from public spaces due to health concerns[1]. However, in the current context, the restrictions are driven more by concerns over public conduct and community safety than health.
The restrictions will be in place until at least August 31, 2025, while the town evaluates the ongoing impact on safety and the local community[1][3]. Foreign tourists staying at a hotel or campsite in the region can still visit the pool with an issued card.
The move has sparked broader debates about how municipalities balance public safety and inclusivity, paralleling conversations in neighboring countries like Germany, where similar proposals have been highly controversial and largely avoided due to societal and legal considerations[1].
More than twenty people have been banned from entering the municipal pool this summer season due to inappropriate behaviour, impoliteness, and non-compliance with pool rules. The municipality's statement did not specify the reasons for the ban or the specific rule violations.
The pool's rules are intended primarily to address visitors from nearby France. The municipality did not specify the reasons for this measure, but the restrictions are in place to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all pool users. The rules may change after August, but for now, the pool is only open to Swiss residents, tourists with a special permit, and foreign tourists staying at a hotel or campsite in the region.
In the context of the ongoing discussions regarding public safety and inclusivity, the municipality of Pruntrut, Switzerland, has expanded the rules of their local public pool to incorporate elements of science, health-and-wellness, and fitness-and-exercise. The revised regulations aim to maintain a safe, respectful, and orderly environment, by encouraging fitness-and-exercise among pool-goers and ensuring adherence to safety guidelines in the health-and-wellness sphere.
