[ad_1]
Coronavirus
Canton St. Gallen closes ski areas as of December 22, distance education for secondary schools – this has been decided by the governing council
After the federal government took new crown measures on Friday, the canton of St. Gallen also reported on Saturday. Due to the situation, the government is forced to close the ski areas and focus on distance learning at the upper secondary level.
As of December 22, 2020, the gondolas of the Flums Mountain Railways will remain empty for the time being.
“Celebrate Christmas differently this year,” St. Gallen Health Director Bruno Damann appealed at a press conference on Saturday afternoon, then briefed the public on the decisions of the St. Gallen government .
The government held an extraordinary meeting today to discuss the decisions of the Federal Council and the current situation. Damann further said:
“The government supports the measures taken by the Federal Council to combat the coronavirus.”
At the same time, the government of the canton of St. Gallen agrees that more restrictions are needed at the cantonal level.
Ski lifts closed from December 22, 2020
As mentioned in recent days, the epidemiological situation and the use of hospital capacities are currently insufficient to grant the ski lifts an operating license for the Christmas season, Damann said. “That is why the health department has decided that the ski lifts will not be able to transport guests from December 22, 2020.”
As can be seen in a press release from the canton, this also includes people who would be transported for sightseeing, sledding, and winter walks. The Unterterzen Flumserberg power system is an exception, as it is part of public transport.
What has to happen for the ski areas to open?
In order to issue a permit, the reproductive value must fall below 1 and sufficient capacity must be available in hospitals. “You cannot estimate when this will be the case at this time,” Damann said at the press conference. The government is continuously monitoring the situation and the health department would grant the operating license again if the development is positive. Damann continues:
“There is no need for a new permit application from the lift operators.”
The government is asking the population to refrain from skiing and sightseeing in other cantons. This would help prevent accidents and therefore relieve hospital staff, “who are already overburdened by caring for corona patients.”
Differentiation between compulsory and non-compulsory school
The St. Gallen government has not only adopted new measures for leisure activities. “Due to the epidemiological situation, post-compulsory schools (middle schools and vocational schools) have to operate remotely for two weeks after the Christmas holidays,” said government councilor Stefan Kölliker, head of the education department, at the conference. press.
With this measure, the education department wanted to prevent infections from being carried into school buildings after family contacts during the holidays. Exceptions to the attendance ban are provided for special constellations, such as required exams and grading procedures.
Education rights
Kölliker continued: “On the one hand, the widely interconnected school area must not become the cause of risk to the health of the population, on the other hand, young people must not be denied the right to education.” In its strategy to combat the corona virus, the Federal Council does not foresee any tightening of measures in the education sector. In particular, it would continue to allow classroom teaching.
Therefore, the education department sticks to face-to-face teaching in kindergarten and elementary school, says Kölliker. Face-to-face lessons also continue at the lower secondary level. The mask requirement remains there until further notice. The government does not want to hear about the suspension of classes. To this Kölliker:
“An extension of vacation in elementary school excludes the department of education”.
The St. Gallen government press conference to read:
