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The Federal Council decided on Friday to suspend the next initial steps for now due to rising crown numbers. The only change: as of Monday, a maximum of ten people can meet again inside.
As a result, restaurants, cinemas, theaters and gyms remain closed. This generated great criticism, especially from the restaurant industry. Meanwhile, the Federal Council justifies its decision, among other things, with a comparison with other countries: “The figures are also increasing in all neighboring countries, although the measures there are in some cases significantly stricter than in Switzerland.”
Here’s an overview of what this comparison looks like in detail:
Are terraces open in Germany?
In early March, the German federal government agreed on an opening strategy with the prime ministers of the federal states. As reported by “20 Minuten”, the easing is planned in five steps.
- On March 1, schools, kindergartens and hairdressers reopened
- Bookstores, flower markets and garden centers reopened on March 8.
- Depending on the incidence of 7 days, the shops, museums and zoos are already open again; if the incidence is less than 50, they reopen, and if the incidence is less than 50, only if it is cited in advance.
- The next easing step is scheduled for Monday, March 22. With a stable incidence below 50, it is likely that it will be possible to eat outdoors again: this means that restaurants can open their terraces.
- The last relaxation step takes place in early April if the incidence is less than 50. Afterwards, entertainment events for up to 50 people should be allowed, for example in cinemas, theaters and concert halls.
Whether these flexibilities will occur remains questionable: Angela Merkel announced on Friday that she wanted to pull the emergency brake due to the surge in corona cases.
Austria with curfew
The fourth Ordinance for the protection of the crown is currently in force in Austria. There is a curfew between 8 pm and 6 am Stores and services are open until 7 pm Only one visit to the salon or pedicure with a negative crown test that is less than 48 hours old is allowed.
Restaurants are also completely closed in Austria: you can order take out between 6 am and 7 pm Museums, libraries, zoos and botanical gardens are open; however, there must be 20 square meters of space per person here. The ski lifts and chair lifts also work.
France tightened the measures
On Thursday, France imposed a strict blockade on 16 territories. This also applies to the capital, Paris: all stores that sell basic necessities must close on Saturday. Furthermore, interregional travel is prohibited. The population can only move within a radius of ten kilometers from their place of residence in the affected areas.
The government also recommends meeting with no more than six people. Additionally, employers should allow employees to work from home at least four out of every five business days. About 30 percent of the 67 million French people are affected by the shutdown. There is a curfew between 7 pm and 6 am throughout the country. Read more about it here.
Italy with traffic light system
In Italy, the provinces are divided into different categories with a traffic light system. Different rules apply depending on the number of cases and the category. Eleven provinces are currently in the red zone, that is, in strict blockade. No one can leave home without a valid reason.
In the orange zone, however, the regulations are less strict, but there is still a curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Anyone on the street right now needs a special certificate. Restaurants, shops, museums and cinemas are also closed in the orange zone. The same applies to the yellow zone: there is currently no difference from the orange zone. The only white zone is currently Sardinia – Corona regulations no longer apply there, except for a general indoor mask requirement.
In the Easter holidays, however, strict measures are imposed again: all regions of the country will automatically be classified as red zones, as decided by the government.
