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KOF boss considers a new blockade increasingly likely
While the number of corona cases is increasing, the order of a second blockade for Switzerland is increasingly likely again. According to the head of the KOF economic research center at ETH Zurich, Jan-Egbert Sturm, it should be as short and difficult as possible, as he explains in an interview with the AWP news agency.
“The number of cases is currently very worrying and hospitalizations are also increasing significantly. If it stays that way, in a few weeks it won’t work without another lock. Unfortunately, this is why the negative scenario is becoming more and more likely, ”says Sturm.
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Killed in vaccine study in Brazil
A test person died during the study of a corona vaccine by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in Brazil. Brazilian health surveillance authority Anvisa confirmed to the German press agency on Wednesday. The cause of death was not clear at first. The newspaper “Estado de S. Paulo” reported that the study participant had received a placebo and had no previous illnesses.
The British-Swedish group developed the vaccine in collaboration with the University of Oxford. According to its own information, Anvisa had already been informed of the death on Monday. The recommendation is to continue testing.
Basel-Stadt introduces the mandatory use of masks from secondary school
The requirement to wear a mask is being expanded in schools in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Starting next week, the masks should be worn not only on the school premises, but also during high school lessons.
This new regulation will come into effect next Monday, as announced by the Basel Department of Education. The extended mask requirement applies to high schools, elementary schools, FMS, and vocational schools. Elementary schools are excluded. In addition, beginning in high school, physical education in the classic form with contact sports will be suspended until further notice. However, alternative programs are being developed, it says in the statement.
The reason for the measure is the sharp increase in the number of corona cases in recent days.
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Thanks for your interest
This concludes today’s federal and cantonal press conference. We will keep you updated on the most important developments of the corona crisis on the live ticker and on our broadcasts. You can also find out the situation online at any time, for example with our charts for hospital bed occupancy in Switzerland.
The Valais as a model for the federal government?
A journalist asks if the Valais could serve as a model for the federal government. Not everything is decided, everything flows, evades Berset. The Valais had taken decisive action, which was logical given the situation. The Federal Council will examine the situation according to the canton and will also examine the situation throughout Switzerland to take a sensible course. Berset cites the example of masks in the summer, as some cantons had also gone ahead and the federal government later issued the requirement for masks on public transportation.
Berset: rapid tests should be used soon
Rapid tests showed good results in scientific analyzes, says Alain Berset. Now they want to use them soon.
But rapid tests, when in use, should only be used as part of the national testing strategy, not, for example, to test entire companies, Berset says. They want to have enough test capacity available, that’s the main goal of rapid tests.
Uniform rule for the limit of 1000?
“Will there be uniform rules for the 1000 limit?” Asks a journalist. That was the topic of the talks, but Lukas Engelberger doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. That is the subject of the consultation. But where we are going is predictable. Engelberger does not go into more detail.
Engelberger: “We wanted to talk about the big lines”
To what extent the cantons agree to the measures, asks a journalist. Engelberger, President of GDK: “We wanted to talk about the big lines.” Everyone agrees there. They want to slow down public life a bit, but not completely restrict the most important areas of the economy and society. The GDK had exchanged ideas “without describing very specific measures,” says the president of the Conference of Health Directors.
Berset: The question of funding was raised too early
A journalist wants to know if there is more help for restaurants. Alain Berset responded that this was discussed today and will continue to be discussed.
The most urgent thing to do now is to take action. Berset also answers the question of who finances what financially for the measures at the moment. If you do not act decisively, the consequences will be much greater later.
Berset: “We do not want to go blind regarding the measures”
Question from journalists: What federal proposals are being consulted with the cantons and why are they acting only on Wednesday? Berset: “There is a legal basis that requires consultation.” Berset defends himself so far that they have reacted very quickly. We would also like to see how the situation evolves with the strict measures taken so far. After all, you don’t want to fly blind when taking measurements. The task force told him yesterday that they still have four weeks “until nothing works.” Of course, he wants to reduce this time and take action sooner, says the Interior Minister. Therefore, they would also go to the Federal Council on Wednesday.
The possible measures on Wednesday will affect the areas of gatherings, public facilities and events, says Berset.
Berset: All the cantons are aware of the seriousness of the situation
A journalist asks about the role of the cantons. Alain Berset emphasizes that he is happy with the close cooperation with the cantons. Today’s exchange showed how dire the situation is. There are different sensitivities in the individual cantons, but that is part of federalism and it is not a surprise. All the cantons share the analysis of the situation. The situation is not good and we must act, that was consensus.
Financial support for those affected by the measures is still unclear
Are the cantons prepared to bear the economic damage caused by increasing cantonal restrictions for those affected? When asked by the journalist, GDK president Lukas Engelberger replied: “We will have to talk about that, I can see it too.”
What is meant by sharing roles?
The journalist’s first question follows: What do the cantons expect from the federal government? The core rules must be defined at the federal level and must be applied throughout Switzerland, says GDK President Lukas Engelberger. The severely affected individual cantons can take additional action, Engelberger said. This is what he means by sharing roles.
Engelberger: “No lock, no mini lock”
Engelberger says you don’t want a lock, not even a mini lock. You just have to be prepared to accept certain inescapable restrictions in the leisure area. According to Engelberger, the goal is “more of a slowdown.”
Contact tracing was not designed for a multitude of cases
Contact tracing remains important for the cantons, says Lukas Engelberger. But there will be loopholes and delays. It was not designed for the amount of drop.
According to Engelberger, hospitals may need to postpone any intervention that is not urgently reported in order to care for corona patients.
GDK recommends new measures to the cantons
The GDK recommends that all cantons take more action. Engelberger also includes:
- new restrictions on the gathering of people in public spaces
- further expansion of mask requirement
- Restrictions on sports and leisure activities, including clubs
- more restrictions in restaurant businesses such as the size of the tables.
The cantons are also asking the federal government to take more action in similar areas at the federal level.
Engelberger: In some regions, hospitals are reaching their capacity limits
Lukas Engelberger, president of the Conference of Health Directors (GDK), emphasizes that the situation is serious. The number of infections is increasing exponentially and there are more and more hospitalizations; capacity limits are reached in some regions. The Valais is particularly affected. There will be more decisions from the cantons in the coming days. The measures would have to be taken at both the cantonal and federal level.
Berset: “Federalism has been proven”
It has not been very common in recent decades that federal structures “can control the situation in a well coordinated way.” Differentiated local measures are needed, says Alain Berset. As an example, he cites the canton of Valais, which has been particularly affected and has therefore taken such measures. Therefore, it does not need emergency law.
Berset: “The actors have to think of a reaction”
Interior Minister Alain Berset reported on the meeting with all cantonal health directors. An assessment of the situation had been carried out; the situation was dire. All actors would now have to consider how to react. Many steps have already been taken. There is a certain lag in the effect of the measures on the development of the number of cases, Berset said.
We are still trying to avoid health care overload, but not with a total lockdown like in March, Berset says. The Federal Council has now taken further steps to consult with the cantons on how they anticipate the special situation in accordance with the Epidemic Law. This means that any new measures can be taken next Wednesday if the previous measures do not go into effect, says the interior minister.
Welcome to the press conference
Alain Berset and the President of the Conference of Health Directors, Lukas Engelberger, will shortly appear in front of the camera in the Bern media center. We broadcast live and summarize the most important statements on the live ticker.
