Switzerland imposes measures to reduce Covid-19 infections

Bern: The federal government announced, on Sunday, a series of measures to stop the “accelerated” increase in the number of new infections with the new Corona virus, including the use of the muzzle, which has become mandatory as of Monday in public places closed throughout Switzerland.

And Switzerland is one of the European countries in which the spread of the disease accelerated last week, with the number of injuries increasing by 146 percent, according to statistics from Agence France-Presse.

“The number of injured has doubled this week,” Federation President Simonita Sommaruga told a press conference, and the increase in cases has “accelerated.”

Although the management of the epidemic was in charge of the cantons during the summer, the president of the federation justified the imposition of measures at the national level on the seriousness of the current situation.

Cantons can still take measures according to their local conditions, and some have imposed more stringent measures than those declared by the federation.

On Saturday, the Federal Office of Health announced that there were 3,087 additional infections in this country of 8.6 million people. The numbers increased from late summer until the injury rate in the past two weeks reached 230 people per 100,000 residents.

In total, the Covid-19 disease had claimed 1,822 lives as of Friday, or 21.3 per 100,000 people.

Switzerland relatively escaped the spread of the epidemic in the spring and imposed limited restrictions compared to its neighboring countries.

However, during the summer, citizens and authorities visibly relaxed prevention measures.

“The second wave here came earlier and stronger than we expected, but we are ready to face it,” Swiss Health Minister Alain Perset said at the same press conference.

Percet noted that the percentage of those who tested positive for the new Corona virus is very high and is around “15 or 16 percent.”

“We know how to act and now is the time that we must all use what we learned in the spring,” added the Swiss minister, calling on everyone to shoulder their responsibilities.

An AFP photographer said hundreds of protesters opposed to the imposition of these new restrictions demonstrated in Bern in front of the Federal Palace on Sunday. There was a tense atmosphere in the square and the police made arrests, while the protesters whistled.

Starting Monday, spontaneous gatherings of more than 15 people in public places will be prohibited. The use of masks will be mandatory in closed places that the public can enter, and this applies to train stations and airports, as well as bus and tram stations.

Regulations will be established for special events, which are a major source of infection, for more than 15 people.

In restaurants, bars and clubs, customers may only drink while seated.

The government also advises the use of remote work.

Switzerland includes any country with an infection rate of 60 per 100,000 inhabitants or more, for being on a “red list” and forcing visitors who come from it to quarantine themselves for ten days.

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