[ad_1]
The situation is gradually getting worse in individual hospitals. Currently, around 600 corona patients are being cared for in Swiss hospitals, more than 100 of them in intensive care. And the number of new corona infections and hospitalizations will continue to rise in the coming days. The number of cases doubled in a week, said Stefan Kuster, head of the Communicable Diseases department at the Federal Office of Public Health. And the increase will not slow down until the new measures take effect.
What can be done to avoid an escalation? The federal government is considering all possibilities, Kuster said at today’s press conference by experts from the federal government and the cantons. A temporary mini-lock will also be checked “of course”. These “circuit breakers” are currently being discussed internationally.
Wales has already decided on one. Starting Friday, the lock will apply for two weeks. Shops, restaurants, pubs, everything is closed, and people are encouraged to stay home during this time. This is how the virus should be contained.
Lines of concern in El Seco
According to Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, the increasing number of infections is also worrying from an economic point of view. “We must do everything possible to avoid a second blockade,” he said.
Protection concepts are central. All employers would have to develop them, all employees would have to adhere to them. The costs to the economy are lower when the virus is contained as quickly as possible.
Hardship aid will only be available next year
To overcome the crisis, companies can still apply for short-time work. But now there will also be support due to difficulties for the companies particularly affected. Parliament approved it in September.
However, it will take some time before the first few companies can benefit from this. Because it has not yet been determined who should receive how much money and under what circumstances. Ineichen-Fleisch said a task force was working on the details. The corresponding ordinance must be consulted before the end of the year. The head of Seco expects it to take effect in early February. The cantons would still have to implement the regulation, but since they can prepare for it, it can be done quickly. (SDA / lha)
