Diners are wary of dipping their food into a communal pot. AFP
Diners are wary of dipping their food into a communal pot. AFP
Diners are wary of dipping their food into a communal pot. AFP
Diners are wary of dipping their food into a communal pot. AFP

Europe

Is it safe to share a fondue? The Covid-19 question gripping Switzerland

‘The risk is not in the fondue pot but in the gathering,’ a restaurant manager says

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

November 20, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Switzerland is worried that the coronavirus pandemic could kill its national dish.
The famed pot of melting cheese, along with white wine and open flames, is designed for sharing with friends and family, making it particularly unsuitable for practising safe social distancing.

In Switzerland, health experts, chefs and the internet are all weighing in on the future of fondue and how best to experience it in a lockdown world.
"The problem arises if you are seated together in a small space for an evening, and are talking loudly, laughing or even singing. These are ideal conditions for spreading the virus," said Professor Christian Ruef, a Zurich-based infectious disease specialist.

A cooker wears a protective face mask prepare a fondue. AFP
A cooker wears a protective face mask prepare a fondue. AFP

"In the fondue pot, the cheese reaches a sufficient temperature to kill any virus," he added.
Gerald Bongioanni, the manager of Geneva's historic Cafe du Soleil, which normally serves up to 300 fondues a day during the winter, agrees that the food is not the problem.

"The risk is not in the fondue pot but in the gathering," he said.

Diners are wary of dipping their food into a communal pot when the World Health Organisation says coronavirus can spread through small liquid particles from a person's mouth or nose.
Among Swiss fondue lovers, various levels of realism are applied to the issue.
"Eat your fondue with a fishing rod", read one tweet, hopefully jokingly.

"Each guest takes two forks and a knife, and it's fixed: one fork to dip in the fondue, the knife to help remove the bread and the second fork to eat it," another suggested.

Meanwhile, the Swiss cheese industry issued a statement saying: "The risk of contracting Covid-19 while enjoying a fondue with other diners is negligible."

Fondue recipes date back to the 17th century and each region in Switzerland has its own favourite cheese as a twist on the basic dish.
It was only in the 1950s that is was promoted to national dish, but now restaurants are closed and the 10th annual Fondue Festival has been cancelled.

Swiss coronavirus infections rose by 4,946 in the previous 24 hours, data showed on Friday, and the total number of confirmed cases in Switzerland and neighbouring principality Liechtenstein increased to 290,601. The death toll rose by 111 to 3,575, along with 252 new hospitalisations, which added to the strain on the country's healthcare system.

Visitors watch the opening show of the Castle of Magical Dreams at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hong Kong, China. REUTERS
Visitors watch the opening show of the Castle of Magical Dreams at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hong Kong, China. REUTERS
A health worker takes a sample to test for COVID-19 at a market area in New Delhi, India. India’s total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began has crossed 9 million. Nevertheless the country’s new daily cases have seen a steady decline for weeks now and the total number of cases represents 0.6% of India’s 1.3 billion population. AP Photo
A health worker takes a sample to test for COVID-19 at a market area in New Delhi, India. India’s total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began has crossed 9 million. Nevertheless the country’s new daily cases have seen a steady decline for weeks now and the total number of cases represents 0.6% of India’s 1.3 billion population. AP Photo
A woman, accompanied by a child, looks over as an airline crew wearing full personal protective equipment against COVID-19 walks through the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. AP Photo
A woman, accompanied by a child, looks over as an airline crew wearing full personal protective equipment against COVID-19 walks through the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. AP Photo
A member of the French Red Cross presents an antigen test at a mobile Covid-19 screening site, in Saint-Gilles, southeastern France. AFP
A member of the French Red Cross presents an antigen test at a mobile Covid-19 screening site, in Saint-Gilles, southeastern France. AFP
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes off his protective face mask to speak as he leads a briefing by the White House coronavirus task force about the U.S. spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Brady press briefing room at the White House in Washington, U.S. REUTERS
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes off his protective face mask to speak as he leads a briefing by the White House coronavirus task force about the U.S. spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Brady press briefing room at the White House in Washington, U.S. REUTERS
A nurse’s shoes are seen in the COVID-19 intensive care unit, as the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, U.S. REUTERS
A nurse’s shoes are seen in the COVID-19 intensive care unit, as the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, U.S. REUTERS
Men dressed in protective suits stand around the coffin of Kenyan doctor Daniel Alushula who died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during his funeral in the village of Khumusalaba, in Kakamega county, Kenya. REUTERS
Men dressed in protective suits stand around the coffin of Kenyan doctor Daniel Alushula who died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during his funeral in the village of Khumusalaba, in Kakamega county, Kenya. REUTERS
Chaplain Kevin Deegan prays for COVID-19 patient Pedro Basulto while on a video call with the patient's daughter, Grace, at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles. "These video calls have been a lifeline for families," said Deegan. "It can be emotionally exhausting and very draining, but it also an honor to be a bridge for the family." AP Photo
Chaplain Kevin Deegan prays for COVID-19 patient Pedro Basulto while on a video call with the patient's daughter, Grace, at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles. "These video calls have been a lifeline for families," said Deegan. "It can be emotionally exhausting and very draining, but it also an honor to be a bridge for the family." AP Photo
Health workers and relatives stand by the funeral pyre of a COVID-19 victim in New Delhi, India. India’s total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began has crossed 9 million. Nevertheless, the country’s new daily cases have seen a steady decline for weeks now and the total number of cases represents 0.6% of India’s 1.3 billion population. AP Photo
Health workers and relatives stand by the funeral pyre of a COVID-19 victim in New Delhi, India. India’s total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began has crossed 9 million. Nevertheless, the country’s new daily cases have seen a steady decline for weeks now and the total number of cases represents 0.6% of India’s 1.3 billion population. AP Photo
Pedestrians wearing protective masks cross a road in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo raised its Covid-19 alert to the highest of four levels, as daily infections in the Japanese capital increased by more than 500 for the first time amid a resurgence of the pathogen across the country. Bloomberg
Pedestrians wearing protective masks cross a road in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo raised its Covid-19 alert to the highest of four levels, as daily infections in the Japanese capital increased by more than 500 for the first time amid a resurgence of the pathogen across the country. Bloomberg
A health worker collects a sample for a COVID-19 test from a baby who arrived on a flight from Mexico at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. The airport received its first commercial flights in over 8 months since the country locked down to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. AP Photo
A health worker collects a sample for a COVID-19 test from a baby who arrived on a flight from Mexico at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. The airport received its first commercial flights in over 8 months since the country locked down to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. AP Photo
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Cricket World Cup League 2 Fixtures

Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)

Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy

Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy

Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy

Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

UAE squad

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia

'Moonshot'

Director: Chris Winterbauer

Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse 

Rating: 3/5

THE DRAFT

The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.

Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan

Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe

Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi

Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath

Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh

Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh

Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar

Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel

RESULT

Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1 
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’

Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

Last-16

France 4
Griezmann (13' pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68')

Argentina 3
Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90 3')

The biog

Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.

It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.

They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.

Friday's schedule in Madrid

Men's quarter-finals

Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time

Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm

Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm

Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm

Women's semi-finals

Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm

Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm

Scoreline:

Barcelona 2

Suarez 85', Messi 86'

Atletico Madrid 0

Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)

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