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Crown locks are proclaimed in Switzerland as if the dominoes are falling – a second wave of lockdown appears to be spreading from southwestern Switzerland. First were the cantons of Geneva, Jura and Neuchâtel. On Tuesday, Freiburg and Vaud also announced that they would close public life again. Restaurants, bars, museums, cinemas and gyms must close on Thursday. Only up to five people can meet. Will a ripple effect now follow with an east-west blocking wave?
Infection curves also increase more steeply in the second wave in French-speaking Switzerland than in eastern Switzerland. Meanwhile, Freiburg and Vaud also announced a partial closure on Tuesday night.
Hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland are on the edge, especially in Geneva and Friborg. Nicolas Blondel, a senior doctor at Freiburg Cantonal Hospital, addressed the population with a dramatic appeal on Monday. “An ambulance arrives at the hospital every quarter of an hour.” 185 patients with Covid-19 would currently be in the cantonal hospital. “And if it continues like this, we will probably run out of space on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.” The canton of Friborg is “on the brink of a health catastrophe,” Blondel said. There are also many younger patients, some under the age of 40. “Highly developed Switzerland has failed,” Blondel said. One out of every two Covid-19 tests in the canton is positive.
Central Switzerland takes precautions
The next canton is likely to be overtaken by the domino effect, Valais. According to federal figures, the canton currently has the highest infection rate in Switzerland, with 1,198.7 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the last seven days. The cantonal government reportedly wants to advise on new measures on Wednesday morning in the mountain canton, where public life is already severely restricted.
The canton of Bern borders the area of spread of the infection. In Switzerland’s second-largest canton, strict rules have been in place since October 24. Unlike in Geneva, only restaurants and non-food shops are open.
Despite their geographical proximity to French-speaking Switzerland, the two Basles still seem to be waiting, while the other Swiss-German cantons Lucerne and Solothurn have already decided to take stricter measures as a precaution to interrupt transmission chains. Erotic and sex shops are closed, in Lucerne a mask is required in your own car if someone who does not live in the same house is traveling with you. This, while the central Swiss cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Nidwalden and Obwalden have just decided on a common upper limit for public events with a maximum of 30 people. The Federal Council would allow 50.
Hesitation in the east
The further away from French-speaking Switzerland, the less interference in public life. Zurich still seems relatively strict. With an expanded mask requirement, the canton banned the operation of discos and dance halls and restricted the operation of restaurants and bars. Public and private events are also restricted and sporting and cultural events with up to 15 people are prohibited.
Neither Zurich nor St. Gallen, Thurgau or the two Appenzells go beyond what the federal government requires. And if Glarus were to comply with his own emergency recovery plan drawn up in August, there would now have to be a red flag with lockdown. The current seven-day incidence of 235.1 new infections per 100,000 people is low in Switzerland, but well above the Glarus authorities’ own guideline of 24 cases per week and 100,000 people.
Nervousness also in St. Gallen. According to canton doctor Danuta Zemp, the number of cases has increased significantly in the last three weeks, reports the “Tagblatt”. The flow of patients is well above the limit established by the authorities. Visits to the hospital are now only allowed in exceptional situations in St. Gallen and a mask is required in secondary schools. By the end of the week it will be clear, according to Zemp, if the numbers will stabilize due to the new rules. (kes)
