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Other countries have already imposed temporary restrictions on their citizens. Switzerland still doubts. How long?
Empty tables in Berchtesgaden in Bavaria. The region is blocked again.
The Federal Office of Public Health reports 5,596 new laboratory-confirmed corona infections on Wednesday. There were 3,008 new cases on Tuesday. 11 people died.
This also makes the calls to take action to contain the virus stronger. One requirement is the “mini lock”. What’s behind this? Is it realistic that Switzerland also uses this method? The most important questions and answers about the mini lock:
It is a reduced version of the blockade that Switzerland experienced in the spring when part of the economic and private life was restricted. It is conceivable, for example, to close bars and restaurants or shops that are not essential to supply people. Citizens could also be encouraged to forego unnecessary travel and meetings with others. In Northern Ireland, pubs and restaurants were closed as part of a mini-closure. It can only offer home delivery. Meetings can only take place in a close circle with close family or friends (maximum of ten people).
The mini lock is requested for a limited period. In the Northern Ireland example, it is four weeks. In some cases, the measures are also less strict than in the first wave. Two weeks have also been mentioned as the duration of a mini block. The time limit may also mean that the population is more likely to accept the measure because they see the light at the end of the tunnel.
If life is restricted, fewer people will gather and the chances of infection will decrease. This is expected to slow the spread and thus ease the burden on the healthcare system. The slower the spread, the fewer patients go to hospitals at the same time. This can prevent bottlenecks in intensive care units, for example.
According to the “Tages Anzeiger”, the Federal Council is discussing a mini-blockade as one of the four scenarios. For many actors in federal Bern, the situation is currently very opaque. Even the cantons are not sure what the state government is currently planning. It is also unclear what the discussed mini-lock would include.
At the Federal Office of Public Health press conference on Wednesday, Stefan Kuster, who is responsible for the epidemics, made a cautious statement. Only after repeated questions from reporters, did he say that the move would, of course, be examined alongside other options.
Each canton for itself and the Federal Council for the whole country. The latter, however, has to listen to the cantons. The basis is the Law of Epidemics. Even for a mini blockade, the Federal Council does not have to declare an “extraordinary situation”. Even in the “special situation”, it has wide powers such as the closure of schools, companies or public institutions.
No, it cannot be assumed. The “special situation” currently prevails according to the Epidemic Law. This means that the cantons have the authority to do so. The Federal Council can also take action, as it did last Sunday with the expansion of the mask requirement and rule 15. However, it must first listen to the cantons. The Federal Council did not do that, so no action is expected.
Epidemiologist Nicola Low of the University of Bern is a member of the Crown Federal Scientific Advisory Committee. She recommends a mini confinement. From a scientific point of view, such a step would make sense for two to three weeks, he told the NZZ. Therefore, the transmission chains could be interrupted. The epidemiological situation should then be reassessed and the measures adjusted accordingly. She continues:
“Furthermore, the restriction is less severe for the population because it is for a limited time and the next steps are clearly communicated.”
