Corona: Cantons warned of superprocessor events two weeks ago

Cantons warned of superprocessor events two weeks ago and demanded fines

About two weeks ago, the Federal Council tightened national measures in response to the growing number of corona cases. Some cantons demanded a much stricter procedure and fines for crown sinners.

The number of corona cases has increased tremendously since the beginning of October. At an extraordinarily convened press conference in mid-October, the Federal Council reacted by tightening the crown’s measures for the first time. It banned more than 15 people from gathering in public places, expanded the general requirement for masks, and recommended that employees return to work from home.

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The cantons welcomed most of the national tightening about two weeks ago. This is demonstrated by the declaration of the Cantonal Directors of Health Conference (GDK), which Watson has received. The federal government received broad cantonal support for recommending the central office and banning spontaneous gatherings of 15 or more people.

Cantons warned against private parties

For some cantons, the measures were too scant, as Lukas Engelberger, president of the GDK, writes. Especially in private circles, at birthday parties, weddings or family celebrations, you have to stick to the rules, Engelberger says. As if incidents such as the Superspreader wedding in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden were feared, the statement goes on to say: “The attention of the population has diminished.”

Two weeks ago, several cantons demanded that private events be limited to 30 or 50 people. (However, the Federal Council proposal only stipulated that a mask requirement would apply at private events for up to 100 people if the guests were not seated.) Some cantons also asked the Federal Council to shut down important events.

Required fines

In addition to the stricter measures in the private sector, the GDK also asked the Federal Council to create a legal basis for the fines. The current conduct of the procedure is “expensive in terms of personnel”, “associated with a great bureaucratic effort” and takes a long time for the “culprits to be punished”, according to the reasoning of the president of GDK, Engelberger.

With such a legal basis, the cantons could, for example, directly penalize people who do not wear a mask in public spaces. Engelberger did not explain how high this fine should be.

The Federal Council continues to tighten the screw

The Federal Council is expected to address criticism from the cantons tomorrow. Expect a restriction on the number of people at private events.

Meanwhile, some cantons have already advanced with their own hands. For example, in the cantons of Bern and Valais, bars and clubs, gyms and all other leisure facilities have been closed. There is a curfew from 10 pm for restaurants. Tomorrow Wednesday it will be shown if these measures will be extended to the national level. The Federal Council will then communicate the next steps in fighting the growing number of infections.