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The number of corona infections in Switzerland is increasing out of control. The message from the Federal Council on Wednesday was clear when it announced new drastic measures: “This is the last chance to avoid a blockade,” said SP Health Minister Alain Berset (48). “We have no time to lose,” said double federal president Simonetta Sommaruga (60) later.
Behold: the news has already reached the population! Since the Federal Council imposed new crown measures in the last two weeks, mobility in Switzerland has declined rapidly. This is shown in the current mobility data “SonntagsZeitung” from Intervista. In mid-October, the Swiss covered about 20 kilometers a day. Since then, the daily distance has continuously decreased.
Mobility plummeted by 30 percent
The slowdown has really intensified this week after cantons like Bern canceled major events and the Federal Council overall limited public events to 50 people on Wednesday and closed clubs and discos. Since then, mobility has plummeted by 30 percent. On Friday the average daily distance was 13.9 km.
The newspaper is based on data collected by the Intervista company through cell phone tracking. The data would be prepared and analyzed seasonally adjusted by Heiner Mikosch from the economic research center at ETH Zurich. He researches mobility data and advises the Crown Federal Scientific Task Force in this area.
Expert: a short break from mobility is not enough
Mikosch sees a good indication that the measures are successful and could slow or even stop the pandemic. “If this is confirmed, there is a good chance that the federal measures will stop the growth in the number of cases or even reduce the number again,” says Mikosch in the newspaper “SonntagsZeitung”.
The lockdown in spring showed that the mobility of the Swiss has a direct connection between contacts and, therefore, contagion. However, Mikosch cautions: A short break from mobility won’t be enough; an effect will only be seen in seven to ten days. Y: The Swiss are still on the move more than during the close of April. (nim)
