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Do we still need the Covid solidarity guarantee system?
As a precautionary measure and together with the banks, the Federal Council is preparing a new version of a Covid solidarity guarantee system in the face of a deterioration in the credit market. “Currently the solution to the difficulties is preferred because we have to act urgently,” said Federal President Parmelin. A consultation with the cantons is currently required.
“The guarantee program is being prepared, but there is no indication that it is necessary,” Maurer said. You no longer want to go into debt.
Entry by car
What about people who come by car and are not cross-border travelers? The same rules apply regarding PCR tests as for other immigrants, Berset says, so depending on the country or region you’re traveling from, you need a negative result. In addition, Berset says that checks are carried out at customs upon entry.
How many rapid tests can be done per day?
How many rapid tests can be used in Switzerland per day? “Currently I cannot provide a specific number,” says Patrick Mathys, deputy director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at FOPH. Berset adds that a while ago they had 50,000 rapid tests. “That is why there are currently more.”
“Why so pessimistic?”
A journalist wants to know why the Federal Council is not spreading more optimism when the number of cases is falling. Berset says that while the numbers are decreasing, the new variants are becoming more widespread. “At first, it is hardly noticeable,” says Berset, but the number of cases of mutated viruses would double every day. You can be positive in behavior, but also cautious.
Parmelin adds: There is always a trade-off between economic and epidemiological developments. The journalist is right to be optimistic. “But we must not be too optimistic.” Measurements are needed in all directions.
What are the obligations of the transport company?
All the people who would enter from a risk country would have to inform, that is Berset. The type of means of transport is not decisive here. It is not the responsibility of the transport company to transmit the data. Michael Gerber from BAG also explains that there are also some obligations for the transport company.
Why aren’t all trials free?
Gerber is asked why not all trials are free. He says the tests would only be paid for at the federal level if they could protect people or if they could be used to screen centers like schools or nursing homes to prevent large outbreaks. Tests for people who wanted to come out of quarantine earlier are not paid, Berset adds. The cost of the additional tests, according to the new regulations, is difficult to quantify. The FOPH assumes around 1 billion francs.
Right to daily benefits retroactively?
In 2020, the Federal Council passed resolutions, for example, regarding compensation for part-time work. Now you’ve also recognized that you have to act, so Parmelin. A change in the law is required for the new economic measures. “The situation of those who had been controlled was more tense in 2020”, says Boris Zürcher of Seco. It’s technically difficult to return daily assignments that are too overdue.
Are some cantons reaching their limits with the new 2.5 billion?
The cantons also have to pay for themselves part of the additional 2.5 billion. Can all cantons, like mountain cantons, pay for this? “We still have to look at that during the consultation. It may well be that certain cantons propose a lower amount, ”said Finance Minister Maurer.
Mandatory test at the nursing home
A question about testing in nursing homes: Can nursing homes deny entry to visitors without those who cannot be screened? Michael Gerber, deputy director of the Legal Department at BAG, says that certain requirements are required for this, but it cannot be ruled out. Mass testing is only useful if it can protect people.
Regarding cantons, Gerber says: “The canton may order mandatory testing in certain settings.” Berset also emphasizes that mass testing is aimed at protecting people.
Why has the quarantine time been shortened?
A journalist wants to know why the quarantine rule was lowered. “In fact, there were reservations,” Berset said. It would not be less than seven days, the current number is a compromise. In addition, the person must pay the cost of the test themselves and you must be able to show a negative result.
What do the measures mean for cross-border travelers?
Now the question and answer session begins: a journalist wants to know how things are going with cross-border travelers and asks why they are not tested regularly. Berset responded that they were not affected by the new measures. The measures must also be feasible. It is not possible to test so many people every day.
Berset: PCR testing is not a panacea
Now the possibility of dissolving the quarantine after the seventh day if there is a negative result in the test has been introduced. The test must be paid for by the person concerned, so Berset.
The Minister of Health explains the new rules of quarantine and test upon entry. “There is no miracle cure, not even with a PCR test.” Measure is better than nothing, that’s Berset. Those arriving from risk countries would also have to provide their contact details, so that everything can be better understood.
The possibility of fines was introduced because the cantons had requested the Federal Council in this regard. Berset explains the new Federal Council measures in German.
Berset asks for more frequent tests
The Federal Council wants more tests to be carried out, Berset explains. There are currently faster tests available. “In the last six weeks, asymptomatic tests have not been done enough.” So the change has now been decided with free trials, hence Berset.
Berset: “There are fewer new cases, we have a slight decrease”
The Minister of Health, Alain Berset (SP / EDI), first did some things about the epidemiological situation. “There are fewer new cases, we have a slight decrease.” Hospitalizations are also minor. “Yesterday we stayed below 2,000 cases for the first time since October.” The R value is still too high, currently 0.94. The number of cases of new mutations would increase steadily.
Maurer: There are still a lot of open questions
The finance minister admits that there are still some open questions in the various industries. For example, what can and cannot be sold. But he wanted to tell the companies that the money was available and that they would be helped; I wanted to tell citizens that everything was seriously overhauled and that tax money would not just go to waste.
In 2020, they spent $ 15 billion on Covid cases, Maurer said. “In 2021, there will be around 15 billion.” The federal government is now getting into debt: about 150 million Swiss francs a day, 100,000 Swiss francs a minute. “He has no money,” emphasizes Maurer. That is why you should carefully check what measures are necessary.
Maurer: The law has to be changed
Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer (SVP / EFD) takes office. He says the last decisions in mid-January naturally resulted in more difficult cases. Therefore, the amount for this is increased by 50 percent to five billion. But this still needs a change in the Covid Law. The Federal Council will draw up a message: in the next session, the parliament will create the legal basis.
The Federal Council decided, part 2/2
- the Hardship assistance will add more 2.5 billion francs increased and now it’s 5 billion.
- Before the Federal Council adopts the dispatch to modify the Covid 19 Law on February 3, 2021, it will consult the cantons.
- At this time, the Federal Council believes that rapid and consistent implementation of the compassionate use program has the highest priority. For a deterioration in the credit market, the Federal Council prepares as a precautionary measure and together with the banks a new version of a Covid solidarity guarantee system.
- The Federal Council has tasked the Federal Department of Finance, in cooperation with the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, to lay the foundations for a Covid-19 Law in the Covid-19 Law. Propose a three-month extension of the daily allowance period for the unemployed.
- In addition, the Federal Council proposes that the federal government, as in 2020 covers the costs of unemployment insurance (ALV) for part-time allowances (KAE) paid in 2021, regardless of whether the ALV fund reaches the upper debt limit.
“The new measures should help the unemployed”
The solutions adopted could never be perfect, says Parmelin. The situation of the pandemic would have an impact on the job vacancy. “The new measures should help the unemployed and people should be prevented from being expelled.”
Parmelin now makes his statements in German.
Parmelin: «Simple and clear solutions are not possible»
Federal President Guy Parmelin (SVP / WBF) opens today’s press conference and explains the measures that have been decided. “The decisions are an expression of the will to continuously adapt the measures.” Many people are currently in a very difficult situation, Parmelin said. “Many of our fellow citizens prefer simple and clear solutions. But that doesn’t exist in a democratic country like Switzerland. “
The Federal Council decided, part 1/2
The Federal Council has approved a series of resolutions:
- The federal government now takes over the Cost of testing to people without symptoms, if they are within the range of Massive test be realized.
- Anyone who violates the measures of the Crown can, as of February 1, 2021, with a BusI know in the amount of 50 to 200 francs be punished.
- the Quarantine after contact with an infected person You can now end up with a negative test result from the seventh day.
- The same goes for People entering from countries with higher risk of infection. Participants must submit a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours. Then they go into quarantine. On the seventh day, this can be done with a negative test result be finished.
- Until now, only the contact details of people from countries at risk for those entering the country have been systematically recorded. The Federal Council extends the Data set now in everybody entering Switzerland.
- Cultural workers must be retroactive to November 1, 2020 Loss compensation to receive. This decision has yet to be approved by parliament.
- The federal government will also fund this in the future. Vaccination in pharmacy. In this way, the cantons can involve pharmacies in their vaccination strategy.
- And finally the Federal Council decided, as it did with the federal government and the cantons stored respirators who may not be sure must continue. If these masks do not meet safety standards, they may no longer used be.
