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The number is impressive: As of Thursday morning, 107,039 people had already signed the “7pm” online petition, which only started Tuesday. Everyone is fighting against the Federal Council’s plans to re-tighten the screw in the fight against the coronavirus and close restaurants and bars from 7 p.m. Many cantons are not only offended. The population is now also setting an example.
Due to the increasing number of cases, the Minister of Health, Alain Berset (48), had already burned the garbage cantons at the end of last week. And indeed successfully. Since then, several cantons have tightened their measures. All the more surprising was the Federal Council’s announcement Tuesday night that it would tighten the screws across Switzerland.
“Incomprehensible and arbitrary”
Resistance is particularly high in French-speaking Switzerland. Western Switzerland has already significantly reduced the number of cases in recent weeks with tough measures. Now, many representatives of the Federal Council feel that they are faced with a fait accompli and are offended. There is talk of “irritation”, of “disrespect”, and even of “impudence”.
The restaurant industry does not skimp on criticism either. The Federal Council’s decision is a “fortuitous strategy.” The proposed measures are “incomprehensible and arbitrary.” Yes, the state government even contradicts the Federal Office of Public Health. Because gastronomy does not recognize this as a focus of the pandemic.
“Restaurants, therefore, are not contagious!”
This is exactly where the online petition comes in: In French-speaking Switzerland, restaurants have been closed in many places since early November. However, the virus continues to spread. “Restaurants, therefore, are not a place of contagion!” The petitioners stand out on their French website www.19h.ch. Therefore, they defend themselves from the “absurd decision”. The petition should be delivered to the Federal Council on Thursday.
Will the Federal Council return on Friday? That remains uncertain despite massive opposition. Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga (60) stressed Tuesday that it would only be about details. The Federal Council is reportedly closed for once. Precisely because the number of corona cases is stagnating across the country or even increasing slightly again.
