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The state government will close restaurants, sports and leisure facilities across Switzerland starting next Tuesday, a kind of off-light. Everything else, like shops, schools, ski areas, remains open. For many, these measures are not enough. Federal Councilor Alain Berset finds it difficult and appeals to personal responsibility in an interview.
SRF News: Mr. Federal Counsel, will you be shopping before Christmas?
Alain Berset: I don’t know if I still have time for presents. But definitely shopping, so we can have something to eat for the family at Christmas.
Does it feel good when you think of the crowds that will crowd the shops before Christmas?
It is a difficult situation, it is the beginning of winter, the holidays are approaching, I don’t have good feelings. But we still have to go on living.
But we still have to go on living.
The other surrounding countries are much more strict with the measures, but I think that we can find a good way with personal responsibility and reason and these strict rules.
It repeatedly emphasizes personal responsibility and reason. But that just didn’t work out, otherwise we wouldn’t be where we are now.
I do not think so. Yes, it is a difficult situation now, but there is also a tendency to compare Switzerland to an island. With us it is different, we have many contacts, a lot of exchange. And it’s also important that we still have reservations.
What reservations?
We could impose even stricter measures. We still have reservations that other countries no longer have. But it is already clear that the numbers have to go down now because it is extremely dangerous for our health system. It worked great with the first wave. Now it is more difficult because we are all tired and it is winter.
You have emphasized that you have decided to take tough action. But many see it differently. They did not listen to the doctors of the canton, or the scientific working group, or the health directors, or the hospitals; all have called for tougher measures.
We listen to everyone …
… but then decided otherwise …
… and then take responsibility for the whole country. Yes, I am convinced that the measures are tough. Closing restaurants – what does this mean for all the people who work there? Or who wants to go out to eat? Shutting down the whole culture – that’s brutal!
Shutting down the whole culture – that’s brutal!
But the measures are necessary and we can hope that the situation improves. But you also need support and protection for the people in the restaurants, in the culture, who cannot prevent the situation from being so bad.
Do you know how many people have died from Covid-19 in Switzerland so far?
A little more than 5000 people.
There are exactly 6004 people to date. There are many, even in international comparison.
Yes, there are many. Every person who dies from Corona is too much. We have done a lot to protect people’s health. That was the top priority of the Federal Council. But the crisis has been going on for months, it is the biggest health crisis in 100 years.
It is the biggest health crisis in 100 years.
It is also an economic crisis and affects society as a whole. And the Federal Council must continue to make the right decisions for Switzerland. But of course: there are too many infections, too many people dying from them, and that is why now we want to tighten the measures.
The interview was conducted by Urs Leuthard.
