The doctor was fired after an inspection by cantonal authorities in the central Swiss canton of Zug. 

The authorities performed the check after receiving complaints from a patient who said none of the employees of the cantonal medical practice – doctors included – were wearing masks. 

‘Just a pawn in their game’

The doctor, whose name has been withheld, told Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes she was made an example of by the medical practice: “it was a difficult and unfair situation”. 

“I only signed my resignation because after a long day at work without breaks I was tired and mentally no longer up to date.”

The head doctor at the practice disagreed however, saying “this wasn’t about not wearing a mask just once”. 

“It was always clearly and verifiably communicated that all employees had to adhere to the instructions of the Federal Office of Public Health and the practice's internal protection concept” the head doctor said. 

Cantonal authorities told 20 Minutes “A patient complained because (the doctor) had not worn a mask while working. The doctor was then dismissed without notice. “

UPDATE: Everything you need to know about Switzerland's compulsory mask requirement 

“We carried out this inspection around August 20, after we received a message from the population that not all employees adhere to the obligation to wear a mask.”

“We then sought a conversation with those responsible for the practice and clearly stated that wearing a mask was a mandatory part of the protection concept for all employees.”

After dismissing the doctor, cantonal authorities promised to again inspect the premises to see if masks were being worn. 

The doctor said her main concern was with her patients – and told reporters she wanted to open up her own practice. 

“Many of them are in the middle of a treatment. Now my phone rings every day and (my) patients ask ‘what happened?’”