In a case reported on 23 January 2023, the Hochdorf District Court confirmed a fine of 1000 francs to a general practitioner in Lucerne who violated the law on epidemics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authorities had revoked his license to practice in 2021. During the pandemic, the doctor, who believed that there was no epidemic, participated in various coronavirus skeptical demonstrations in the canton of Lucerne. He is also accused of not wearing a mask in his office and not enforcing the mask-wearing requirement. The doctor explained that he acted “for medical and ethical reasons”: refusing to treat patients who were not wearing masks would have resulted in him being guilty of failing to assist someone in danger. He was given a fine of 1000 francs by the public prosecutor, which the doctor did not accept, leading to the judgement by the district court.
