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Also in the canton of Bern, a mask requirement will be applied in shops, train stations and other publicly accessible indoor spaces from next Monday. The governing council decided on Wednesday. It is reacting to the growing number of cases.
For a long time, the numbers in the canton of Bern were below the national average, health director Pierre Alain Schnegg (SVP) told the media. That is why one has waited until now with the mask requirement. The measure is now expected to take effect with the start of the colder season.
“The canton of Bern wants to protect people at risk and the freedoms they have won,” said Schnegg. Hygienic masks also served as an external signal. The entire population is called upon to remain alert. “It is very important that everyone obey the hygiene rules and, whenever possible, keep a distance of 1.5 meters.”
The mask requirement applies to all interior public access areas. This includes shops and malls, but also train stations, post offices, museums, theaters, libraries, administrative buildings, and places of worship. In restaurants, the mask can only be removed when sitting at the table.
Nursery schools and all schools that are subject to canton supervision are exempt from the mask requirement.
The mask requirement initially applies until the end of January 2021. “As long as we don’t have a vaccine, we will be accompanied by this virus,” Schnegg said. The governing council will closely monitor the development and expand the measure if necessary.
Mandatory seating in clubs and restaurants.
As an additional measure to contain the coronavirus, the governing council has decided that guests of bars, clubs and restaurants should be seated. Furthermore, the number of guests in bars, clubs and discos is limited to 300 people.
Schnegg pointed out that the number of cases in the canton of Bern has recently increased steadily. On Wednesday there were 84 sick people in 24 hours, the highest level since the beginning of April. During the past two weeks, an average of 41 people have been infected each day.
Most infections occur in family and friends, said Cantonal Deputy Doctor Barbara Grützmacher. In sports clubs and at work, especially in break rooms, there are always infections.
So far, few cases have been reported in nursing homes, Grützmacher said. But the trend is increasing. If the number of cases in the canton continues to rise, more deaths can be expected again.
Organizer required
Schnegg did not hide the fact that he was not completely satisfied with the way the first major events had played out since October 1. He called on event organizers with more than 1000 people to consistently implement protection concepts. Visitors are also challenged. “You have to follow the rules and support the organizers.”
“Corona’s traffic light is still yellow,” said Frank Neff of Corona’s special health department staff. But that could change at any time. Governors could revoke permits for major events if protection concepts were not met.
Footage from the BSC Young Boys home game last Sunday caused discontent among the Berne authorities. At times, people were crowding in front of the stadium entrances and the approximately 11,000 fans were not optimally distributed among the stadium seats. (SDA)
