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At the moment, the canton of Baselland is not introducing a general obligation to wear a mask indoors accessible to the public, that is, in stores. But the measure could be implemented in a short period of time if the situation changes.
That is the most important news of the press conference of the Baselbieter Health and Economy Directorate (VGD) yesterday in Liestal. Health Director Thomas Weber (SVP) stated that two conditions should be met for companies to wear a mask and new instruction in the home office: high case numbers and high hospital utilization.
However, the obligation to wear a mask and work from home only has a second priority in the ongoing fight against the pandemic. Previously, the size of the sector would be limited to 50 people for events, reducing it by half compared to today. For private occasions such as birthday parties, the number of guests could be limited to 30, those in bars, clubs and discos to 100.
Aargau and Baselland as masked islands
If you go shopping in the Basel area, you don’t need to wear a mask, unlike neighboring Basel-Stadt and Solothurn. One is aware of this deviation, Weber said. In Basel in particular, however, the starting position is different. The crowds are more numerous there, for example, on the footbridge of the SBB train station.
But Weber also became fundamental. Intense discussions were held within the governing council: “We are strongly committed to personal responsibility, with the understanding and cooperation of citizens. Just fix, give orders and threaten the buses, that alone certainly won’t help. “He mentioned an observation:” For example, we see people wearing their masks on the train and on the bus. However, as soon as they are in the platform, they remove their protection and hug friends or family, as if nothing was happening. “
Weber also investigated sources of infection. For nearly half of the Basel bidders who had been infected with Corona in the past week, it was unclear where this happened. “However, there is no meaningful evidence,” Weber said, “that people were infected while shopping.”
The new rules could take effect in 24 hours.
According to the VGD, the incidence of 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants is decisive for the number of cases. If you exceed 60 for several days, the adjustment is within reach. Yesterday, the 14-day incidence in Baselland was 73.9 (see box). In hospitals, the occupancy rate of intensive care units (IPS) is decisive. According to Weber, there are currently four Covid 19 patients in the hospital, but they do not need intensive care.
With an occupation of 18 IPS beds, there are limits. If the situation worsens, you can react quickly, Weber said. The sentences are ready.
The roughly twenty contact tracing employees would also be affected, said canton doctor Samuel Erny: “However, we are planning an expansion and are already in contact with external partners.”
