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Not only are the numbers of corona infection alarming, but also the outlook for the health sector. The scientific working group sounds the alarm and calls for tougher measures. The cantons of Bern and Valais are the pioneers.
At the Cantonal Hospital in Friborg, an employee is preparing to work with Covid 19 patients.
It is not a question of whether, but to what extent hospitals will be overloaded in the coming weeks. The head of the scientific working group, Martin Ackermann, presented this Friday a warning to the media in the form of a numerical graph, which brings the gravity of the situation more clearly to the point than all the calls of the last week, but please wash your hands, distance. hold and wear a mask.
Ackermann added a surprising addition: “We are of the opinion that the measures taken so far are clearly not sufficient.” That sounds like a need for action, which the scientific working group clearly underlined in its assessment of the situation on Friday: “Every day counts when it comes to implementing additional control measures. The higher the number of cases, the longer it will take to bring them back down to a lower level. “
“We are of the opinion that the measures taken so far are clearly not enough” – Martin Ackermann, chair of the federal Covid-19 scientific working group, at Friday’s press conference in Bern.
Bund wants to tighten the screw
The working group proposes a series of measures, including mandatory masking in street markets, new restrictions on meetings in public and private areas, and the shift to distance education in grammar schools and universities. The catalog of scientists goes far beyond the decisions already taken by the Confederation and the cantons. In their assessment of the situation, they write that these measures should be sustainable in the long term, and they name a period until March / April 2021. This would not be a good prospect for winter.
Planned occupancy of beds in ICU. Beds without COVID19 (dark gray), COVID19 patients (green). The red line shows the expected ICU occupancy based on the current doubling time of 7 days. The blue and yellow lines for doubling times of 5 and 10 days.
It is time to act. pic.twitter.com/IM3o7jItWl
– Thomas Van Boeckel (@thvanboeckel) October 23, 2020
The representative of the Federal Office of Public Health, Stefan Kuster, emphasized in front of the media that the federal government and the cantons are in close contact with the scientific working group. Basically, the chosen path must be followed. During the weekend, the cantons can consult on new measures at the federal level. Cantons are expected to have 48 hours to comment on the plans. However, it is quite possible that the Federal Council will request comments on Sunday morning. The state government wants to decide on Wednesday. However, Kuster indicated that earlier decisions by those responsible were possible.
It is practically certain that the Federal Council will tighten the screw further. The only open question is when it will do this and how far it will go. The next steps are obvious: a general ban on events, the closure of cinemas, theaters, museums, concert halls, gyms, indoor swimming pools and other cultural and sports facilities. In contrast to the spring closure, stores and schools are likely to remain open this time, at least for now.
Strict measures, especially in western Switzerland
The Federal Council is also competent to take uniform measures in the special situation under the Law of Epidemics. However, the main responsibility lies with the cantons. They tightened the measures practically every day in recent days. Valais led the way with its slowdown, but other cantons in western Switzerland have also imposed tough measures. In Geneva, for example, it is forbidden to gather groups of more than 5 people in public and private spaces.
The canton of Jura also reacts with a partial blockade. Prohibits public and private gatherings with more than 15 people. From now on, restaurants must close at 10pm, clubs will be completely closed. The government further bans contact and team sports and closes gyms. Visits to nursing homes and nursing homes are limited to 1 hour per day. The rules apply for three weeks. The government justifies the measures that the situation in the canton is “extremely dangerous.”
The cantons of Friborg and Neuchâtel are also closing down public life. As the governments of the two cantons announced on Friday, there is a new curfew starting at 11 pm Meetings of more than 10 people in public spaces are prohibited; the same goes for private meetings. Facilities such as clubs, game rooms, swimming pools and gyms will be closed. Funerals or political events are exempt from the assembly ban. The measures apply until November 30.
Ronald Vonlanthen, Medical Director of the Freiburg Hospital (HFR), in front of the media.
The Council of State of the Canton of Vaud is also tightening the measures. The cantonal government announced on Friday (October 23) that no more than 10 people can attend private events. A mask is required for groups of 15 people or more. Cafes, bars and restaurants close at midnight. Public events and demonstrations with more than 1000 people are prohibited. The practice of contact sports such as soccer, hockey or martial arts is also prohibited.
The Bern slowdown as a possible model
The canton of Lucerne also goes a long way. Now a mask is required in workplaces inside facilities and companies. Exceptions are people who work alone in a room, as well as workplaces where distance can be maintained or there are additional protective measures such as barriers. The mask requirement also applies to private and transport vehicles if people who do not live in the same household are transported. Restaurants, bars and clubs should be closed from 11pm to 6am, sex clubs will be completely closed. Visits are prohibited in hospitals and residences for the elderly and the elderly.
The governing council of the canton of Bern, which cracked down on last week, sent a clear signal on Friday. The cantonal government appeared in three in front of the media to provide information on the situation and the measures. The district president and health director, Pierre-Alain Schnegg (svp.), Claimed that the second wave had alarmingly high levels of infection: “For once, Switzerland is not a model country.” If development cannot be stopped, Bern’s hospitals will also reach their capacity limits.
Commercial Director Christoph Ammann (sp.) Announced the slowdown in Bern: bars, clubs and dance halls will be closed with immediate effect. Also museums, concert halls, theaters and sports centers. Seating is compulsory in restaurants and the police work at 10pm. Events with more than 15 people are prohibited in both public and private areas. The requirement to wear a mask extends even to the pergolas in the old town of Bern. The Bern measurements are similar to those of the Valais in the scientific catalog.
Ammann stressed the unity of the Berne government. The governing council is unanimous and supports the measures 100 percent. These were intended to protect the population and the economy. There are companies that live off the substance. The pipeline with new orders is empty, said the Bern economic director: “It is an urgent and depressing question: how much longer can be done?”
The cantons of eastern Switzerland are jeopardizing the planned process
The canton of Bern exposed itself a week ago by banning large events for more than 1,000 people. The big sports clubs YB and SCB protested and complained about existential fears. The Bern government was sympathetic, but Health Director Pierre-Alain Schnegg said even more drastic measures should have been decided, especially outside the canton of Bern.
The president of the Berne government, Pierre-Alain Schnegg, is pushing for the crown’s measures. Switzerland is not a model country in this second wave.
From the point of view of federal authorities, the federal process suffered a setback with the Zurich government’s decision on Friday to continue to allow large-scale events for more than 1,000 people. Health Director Natalie Rickli was reportedly overruled. The attitude of the eastern cantons of Switzerland is also received with incomprehension in Bern. As in Zurich, they want to await the decisions of the Federal Council. “We are of the opinion that two weeks should pass between individual measurements. Otherwise, you won’t even see if the measures are having any effect, ”says St. Gallen Health Director Bruno Damann (cvp.) On request.
Even if the working group takes the position that waiting is not the solution, the Federal Council should not hold an extraordinary meeting until Monday, if at all. However, events could be precipitated. The slowdown in the cantons of Bern and Valais is seen as an “interesting approach”. Not all federal councilors are yet convinced of this. Meanwhile, the scientist Martin Ackermann advises the population to keep the greatest possible distance: “We have to keep contact with other people to a minimum.
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