Corona Measures – The Federal Council wants to keep all options open – News

“We can’t go on either,” says Alain Berset, looking at Guy Parmelin. “That is why we want to take a step towards openness.” The Federal Council announced today a relaxation of the tired population of the crown. A barbecue with up to fifteen friends (by far recommended), shopping at the clothing store (with a reduced number of customers), soccer training (for those under 20 years old) – everything is possible again from March 1.

Parliament could open more

By promising new openings for March 22 – for restaurants, gyms or the abolition of the home office obligation – the Federal Council is also keeping parliament at bay. This will meet for three weeks starting next Monday in Bern and, with changes in the Covid Law, it could open openings at the end of the session. Wider easing proposals, for example from the senior vice president, should struggle to find a majority.

The curve no longer goes down

For now we can breathe a sigh of relief under the mask. However, this relaxation could have been the last, for quite some time. Because for a few days, the contagion curve has not fallen abruptly, the contagion figures stagnate. In many cantons they are already increasing significantly compared to the previous week. Scientific calculations that the curve could recover from February appear to be alarmingly accurate at this point. This is due to the latest variants of the corona virus, which now account for 60 percent of all infections in Switzerland.

With today’s announcement, the Federal Council keeps all options open. If the curve rises again, it does not rule out further adjustment. Above all, the hosts, cultural workers and organizers would have to discard other initial steps for a long time.

The population is tired of Corona

The openings that have now been announced are a risk – emphasizes Alain Berset. Not only because they could play the virus’ game. But also for the Federal Council: in view of Corona’s growing fatigue, it will be difficult to reverse the easing announced today. There is a risk of resentment among the population or simply that the Crown’s rules are no longer taken seriously and generously ignored.

Hopefully the curve goes down again. And soon we will no longer have to deal with loosening and closing for a long time.

André Ruch

Editor of the Bundeshaus, SRF

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Reporter André Ruch has worked for various SRF programs since 2008. For example, as a writer and producer for the health program “Puls”, as a reporter for “10vor10” and, since 2018, as an editor at the Federal Palace in Bern.