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Home party with ten guests is allowed, more than four people are prohibited at the restaurant table: What else is really allowed?
A look at the explanations for the latest regulation shows that the federal government takes care of the smallest details, too. Large families, for example, can also sit at a table in groups of six in the restaurant.
After the Federal Council introduced the new rules, there is, as is often the case, confusion about unpleasant little details, but these can have major consequences. Private events with ten people are still allowed in one room. If you want to go to the limit of what is allowed, you can invite everyone to the house party every day.
In restaurants, however, only four people can sit at a table. Is it more dangerous in a restaurant than at home? Health Minister Alain Berset received this question at yesterday’s press conference. Berset conclusively explained what the logic is behind the apparent contradiction. But this consideration is not registered in the regulations.
With a few exceptions, only four people have been able to enter the restaurant since Thursday.
Why not? The federal government did not want to regulate the smallest detail, it relies on personal responsibility and common sense, despite the exponentially growing number of cases. At the same time, the new regulation is entangled in the smallest details. Sequentially.
This is how Berset explains the supposed contradiction
Beyond the upper limit of ten people for private occasions, the intention is that two families or households can meet privately. You cannot prevent infection within a home. Contagion from one home to another should be avoided. Analyzes of the cantons he saw showed that chains of infection are often formed through such private events. So much for private occasions.
In the restaurant, however, the upper limit of four people per table applies. According to Berset, people from four different households could meet at a table. Therefore, three new chains of infection could be activated in three households. If you allowed ten people to sit at a table, all of whom come from a different home, there would be nine new chains of infection. Then it would be even more dangerous. So far so obvious.
However, this consideration is not recorded in the regulations. Although otherwise goes into the smallest details.
What’s in the regulation?
In explanations of the latest regulation, experts from the federal administration apparently felt compelled to delve into the details, even the “biological relationship” is regulated.
For example, there is an exception to the 4 person rule for parents with children. The federal government speaks of the so-called “guest group.” This term implies that the people in question know each other. This is very important with regard to contract tracking. There is no defined age limit for children.
Specifically, it says: “Families living in the same household and meeting every day should be able to sit at a common table.” This also applies to so-called patchwork families. “The biological relationship is not relevant in this context.” For the same reasons, it is also justified to make exceptions to the maximum size of the group of four people in the canteens or in the daytime structure offers of the schools.
The Federal Council is less precise about private events. The participation of a maximum of ten people is allowed. The explanations to the ordinance say: “Private events according to this provision are only those that are held at the invitation of family and friends.”
In addition to family celebrations, this also includes parties “in a shared apartment or other private space.” This can be arranged by invitation or agreement through social media. According to the ordinance, events organized by clubs and leisure organizations are not considered private events. For them, in turn, a concept of protection would be necessary.
Private parties with ten people are allowed, that’s what the hosts say
There is no joy in gastronomy. Maurus Ebneter’s assessment of Basler Wirteverband (Basler Wirteverband) is representative of the entire industry: “The 4-person rule makes no sense and is disproportionate. Up to ten people can celebrate at home, although the guests there are much more difficult to keep their distance from each other! “
Restaurants have been shown not to be drivers of a pandemic, says Ebneter. “We already work under strict conditions and are closely monitored. The sources of infection are mainly private meetings without a hygiene concept and controls. “
Private parties with ten people are still allowed: this is how the Federal Council is justified
Berset took the next position at the press conference. Of course, the rules could be questioned down to the last detail. But then it comes down to personal responsibility. The signal should be clear to everyone: it is important to reduce social contacts. The Federal Council counts on the participation of the people. Berset: “You cannot expect the Federal Council to regulate everything down to the last detail and then people will try to circumvent these rules.”
The bottom line
In short, large and mixed families can also sit at the same table with more than four people in the restaurant. Cheerful private parties are also allowed at home with family and friends, as well as in a shared apartment.
Such private parties are not the idea, as Berset makes clear. But the example shows: Switzerland continues to rely on personal responsibility, although Switzerland currently has the highest number of new infections in Europe. The next few weeks will show if this will work.
