The state media is actively spreading the news that the Swiss authorities allegedly called on their citizens to inform on neighbours if they overheat their homes. This was reported by the Belteleradiocompany and Mir TV Telegram channels, as well as by political analyst Alyaksandar Shpakouski.
"We’ll see how it goes in Switzerland, where it’ll be forbidden to crank up the heat in the home, it's their official law that came out, and anyone who does this should be fined," Alyaksandar Shpakouski said.
Ragor Azaronak also picked up on the topic:
"Now, when winter comes, Switzerland will be gas frenzy and we’ll see where is better, Switzerland or Belarus. You've seen it, you can only heat up to 19 degrees, and if above, inform on that violation. This is Europe."
Marat Markau, head of ONT TV channel, didn’t stand aside either:
"I really like that in some countries there are official denunciations on those who waste, denunciations against fellow citizens is becoming the norm at the legislative level."
There is indeed a picture on the Internet of a notice seen somewhere in Switzerland. It reads in German: "Is your neighbor heating his home above 19 degrees? Please inform us". There is also a phone number to call. We called to check. Here's what we heard:
"If you’re calling because of a social media post about the temperature in your neighbour's flat, it's fake. The Confederation has nothing to do with it."
It turned out that the phone number belonged to the Swiss Ministry of Energy, but the Swiss Confederation had nothing to do with the announcement.