[ad_1]
With the expansion of the outdoor mask requirement, more restrictions for private gatherings and public events, as well as various bans, the Federal Council wants to control the second corona wave. If the measures do not work, the blockade is inevitable, according to the government.
The new rules are “the last chance to avoid a lockdown,” Health Minister Alain Berset told the Bundeshaus media on Wednesday. “It will not work without drastic measures.” The previous rules were not enough. The number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths should be reduced as soon as possible.
The goal is to cut the number of views in half. Today, ten corona-infected people infected an average of 17 other people. That was too much, Berset said. Switzerland is currently a European access point.
Only successful together
Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga tried again to get everyone to participate. “We all want Switzerland to overcome this crisis together,” he said.
Nobody wants emergency beds in hospitals to be lacking, nobody wants closure. Therefore, the Federal Council has adopted new measures that will be applied from midnight. “When we have fewer contacts, we reduce the number of hospitalizations.”
Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin (from left), Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga, Federal Councilor Alain Berset and Federal Council spokesman Andre Simonazzi during Wednesday’s press conference. (October 28, 2020)
Photo: Peter Klaunzer (Keytstone)
The situation is not easy for anyone. We need the contacts, we need the exit. We want to go to the movies and join the soccer game. We need to be close to family and friends. “One thing is for sure:” The faster we get the virus under control, the faster we can do all of this again. “
Open measures
Just because the strictest crown measures at the federal level are limitless doesn’t mean they’ll be in place for long, Berset said. “They are valid as long as necessary.” You have to be flexible in this epidemiological situation.
Berset expects the new measures to come into effect relatively quickly. One could definitely expect to see the first results in the next few days.
Still in the “special situation”
The Federal Council defends itself against accusations that it has acted too hesitantly in recent days and weeks. “We have not lost seven days,” Sommaruga said when asked by a journalist. “The cantons have taken action.”
It is important that the federal government and the cantons act together in the “special situation”. The Federal Council had carefully examined the measures, because the population had to understand them.
The Federal Council did not rule out returning to the “extraordinary situation” on Wednesday, but did not designate this step as a priority. Sommaruga said that the Federal Council could take many measures in the context of the special situation. “There are few things that can only be decided in an ‘extraordinary situation’.”
Without new financial aid
In the opinion of the Federal Council, the measures against the coronavirus are not in conflict with the economy. “If we contain the virus as much as possible, the costs to the economy will continue to be the lowest,” said Economy Minister Guy Parmelin.
Certain industries would suffer from the recently imposed measures, Parmelin said. The Federal Council still refrains from receiving more financial aid, at least for the moment. Switzerland is now better prepared than with the first wave of coronavirus in the spring, Parmelin said.
The cantons and the federal government are working on a regulation for difficult situations. According to Parmelin, it should be implemented in early 2021. According to this, the federal government can co-finance cantonal measures in case of difficulties for the companies especially affected.
