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“The figures have been falling for three weeks, the measures taken by the authorities, thanks in part to the discipline of the population,” he said on Thursday.
Berset appeared in front of the Bundeshaus media after a meeting with representatives of the cantons. The current situation and the next steps in the fight against the coronavirus were discussed. The Health Minister drew a positive conclusion: “At the beginning of November the situation was worrying, today it looks much better.” The situation is still very serious.
The political approach has proven its worth. “The measures only take effect if the population accepts them.” That is the case today. Berset continued to appeal to the discipline of the people: “We need perseverance, we have to go on for more months, we have to face this winter on our own.”
The Swiss crown’s strategy is a mix of self-discipline, personal responsibility and common sense, Berset said. “We can continue living, there is no curfew, there is no closure as in other countries.”
Ski areas remain open
For existing measures to be sufficient, they must continue to be applied consistently, Berset warned. “The next few weeks are crucial.” Just because restaurants are reopening in some cantons doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. “We have to go all the way with the numbers.” Only then will contact tracing be fully guaranteed again.
According to Berset, the Federal Council will discuss in December whether an additional package of measures is needed for the holiday season. It is clear that the beginning of the winter season is a “pretty big challenge”. The experience of the first wave shows that the situation can quickly spiral out of control. “Good protection concepts, tight implementation, and maybe tweaks are needed.”
Berset stressed, however, that the ski areas in Switzerland will remain open, regardless of what is decided in the surrounding countries. Switzerland is in contact with other countries.
It is not yet the time for general relaxation
According to GDK President Lukas Engelberger, the situation in the corona pandemic remains dire. It is not yet the time to talk about a general relaxation of the measures, he told the media in Bern on Thursday.
The president of the Cantonal Conference of Health Directors (GDK) appeared in front of the media together with Health Minister Berset.
The last time, on October 22, he said the situation was very dire, Engelberger recalled. Today you have to say that there is an improvement. “But the situation is still serious.” There are still too many infections, too many hospitalizations, and too many deaths. The positivity rate in tests is still clearly too high.
“It is not yet the moment to speak of a general relaxation of the measures. Our economy must also be aware of this ”, emphasized the president of GDK. Now you should not relax so as not to encounter a third wave.
Cooperation between the federal government and the cantons will continue to be necessary. “The hybrid engine with which we are on the road in Switzerland works.”
Vaccines were coming and the cantons were working with the federal government to plan transportation, storage and distribution. The federal government, cantons, and health insurers must share the costs with each other. There will be no mandatory vaccination, Engelberger said. We trust the willingness of the population to vaccinate ”.
About half of the deaths occur in nursing homes. They needed support, something from the army.
Addressing the entire population of Switzerland, Engelberger said: “Please be careful, even on Black Friday. If we’re not careful now, we’ll pay the price at Christmas. “
