Sex workers in Switzerland have written up a list of rules in a bid to minimise the risk of coronavirus spreading in brothels.
The country’s government placed a temporary ban on prostitution on March 16 as a precautionary measure against the pandemic. Eager to get back into business, the industry has suggested limiting customers to ‘doggy style’ and ‘reverse cowgirl’ would allow for enough distance between faces.
Other measures suggested by sex workers’ rights group ProKoRe include rooms being ventilated for at least 15 minutes after every customer to limit the spread of Covid-19 and washing bed sheets and hand towels at at least 60 degrees at all times.
The group also recommends disinfectant, gloves, condoms to be provided at all brothels, for sessions to be limited to 15 minutes, and for sex workers to wear mouth and nose coverings at all times.
They advise against touching any personal belongings of customers and kissing will be discouraged, although this was already rare in Swiss brothels before lockdown.
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ProKoRe have also called for legal brothels to be reopened with the next easing of lockdown measures on June 8. They say the ban is resulting in illegal sex work taking place across the country, leading to safety concerns.
They say customer’s contact details including names and telephone numbers should be kept for four weeks after visiting so contact tracing can be carried out.
Sex work in Switzerland is regulated and legal while forcing people into prostitution, trafficking, and most forms of pimping are illegal.
In the country’s capital, Bern, there are currently 28 licensed brothels, although the number is dropping and opposition to new businesses is growing.
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