ZURICH (Reuters) – Credit Suisse Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio broke COVID-19 rules during a recent visit to Switzerland by leaving the country during a 10-day quarantine period, Switzerland’s second-largest bank said on Wednesday.
The bank said it “regretfully acknowledged” the breach, which occurred when Horta-Osorio entered the country on Nov. 28 during a time when 10-day quarantine rules applied, but exited the country three days later.
“I aim to abide by Swiss quarantine rules and strictly followed the protocol from the moment I entered the country on November 28, 2021 until I left,” Horta-Osorio said in a statement, adding all meetings he held during his stays were conducted virtually.
“I unintentionally violated Swiss quarantine rules by leaving the country prematurely on December 1. I sincerely regret this mistake. I apologize and will ensure that this does not happen again.”
Due to the emergence of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, Switzerland imposed travel bans on some countries and quarantine restrictions on others from Nov. 26, before lifting all quarantine measures from Dec. 4.
Credit Suisse said it made compliance with applicable laws and guidelines a top priority.
(Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; Editing by Jan Harvey, Kirsten Donovan)
