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The economy fears a second lockdown. Furthermore, the quarantine rule is becoming more and more expensive. Now the umbrella organization Economiesuisse is calling for swift action on rapid tests, and is sending a letter to the Federal Council.
Roche Diagnostics International AG headquarters in Rotkreuz, Zug
The economy fears a second lockdown. Economiesuisse chief economist Rudolf Misch says the growing number of cases is concerning. “A second blockade must be avoided at all costs.” The Swissmem association emphasizes that industrial companies are not the cause of the increasing number of cases. Swissmem’s director, Stefan Brupbacher, calls for “a commitment that industrial companies would be excluded if there were another blockade.”
Economiesuisse expects a lot from the new rapid tests. In the meantime, it all speaks for the fact that some of these rapid tests are good enough to fundamentally change the way we deal with the virus. Therefore, the trade association has written a letter to the Federal Council. Chief Economist Minsch says: “With the letter we want to emphasize that we should not miss the opportunity to conduct rapid tests for so many investigations”,
The STOCK is still testing
“If Switzerland arrives like the old carnival, the rapid test capabilities will be long overdue.” The federal government, cantons and authorities should already be working on a strategy on how to best use rapid tests.
The STOCK is still testing. Validation should be completed by the end of October. In the meantime, however, they have not been as inactive as Economiesuisse feared. A spokesperson said on request: “BAG contacted the suppliers from the beginning. A greater number of rapid tests have been secured for use in Switzerland. “No further details can be provided at this time.
However, the BAG should not take too long. The pharmaceutical company Roche has made it clear today in a press conference on the business figures for the third quarter. Roche CEO Severin Schwan said capacity is currently being reserved for Switzerland. But global demand far exceeds supply.
Some countries would be desperate for new rapid tests. “At some point we will no longer be able to retain reserved capacities. We need a firm commitment from Switzerland. ”It would not be fair, Schwan continued, to hold back products if there was such strong demand in other countries.
At the same time, however, Schwan also said that if the BAG stuck to the announced schedule, then this would be “fine.” Switzerland is on the right track, but now a firm commitment is needed.
BAG wants to have full validation by the end of October. Such validations are said at Roche to be part of the normal process. However, other countries have already completed this process. There is no reason to believe that the results in Switzerland will be different. You also have your own data, of course.
No business reason to wait for Switzerland
Roche also emphasized that it had no business reason to prefer individual countries like Switzerland. They charge the same price all over the world.
And the new rapid tests are perhaps a bit less accurate than the PCR tests used today, where the test result is only available after two days. However, these PCR tests are already in short supply today. The alternative to rapid tests is simple: “There is nothing to do.” Rapid tests can also be used to identify nearly 100 percent of people who are truly contagious and who transmit the virus.
The cantons must report the number of cases for each municipality individually, as does the canton of Bern. This is another demand from Economiesuisse. Minsch is convinced that people would change their behavior quickly if the contagion increased in their community. Economiesuisse is getting more and more involved in politics these days. It is always about measures that bring the greatest possible benefit and at the same time cause the lowest possible costs.
In contact tracing, you also need to expand capabilities, which is a very effective measure. The Covid app seems to have fallen asleep a bit, but it’s actually a good tool, too, Minsch says. And the same applies to an extension of the mask requirement. Recently, several cantons have expanded the requirement for masks in cafes and restaurants.
Industrial companies are now reaching the limit of virtual communication. It is urgent to make it easier to send employees from Switzerland to Germany, and vice versa, says Swissmem director Brupbacher.
Right now, innovation and cooperation with German customers are suffering, which account for an average of around 25 percent of the turnover of MEM companies (machinery, electrical and metal industries). The subject of travel abroad is increasingly virulent.
“You have to be there sometime.” Otherwise, you will no longer be able to carry out service, commissioning or projects. Innovation suffers from this too.
