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The Federal Council has spoken a word of power: from Tuesday, restaurants, cultural, leisure and sports facilities in Switzerland will be closed for a month. Ski areas can remain open. Therefore, the Federal Council follows the Graubünden path.
Government councilors Jon Domenig Parolini, Peter Peyer and Marcus Caduff reported on Friday afternoon on the further course of action of the canton of Graubünden. Due to closures and restrictions at hotels and restaurants, the industry lost a turnover of 200 million francs, Caduff said. Minus variable costs, the catering industry still had about $ 70 million of uncovered costs. The measures taken so far would not be enough to help the restaurant sector. The aid comes from the federal government: the cantons particularly affected are entitled to additional financial aid. Graubünden will therefore immediately request 70 million francs from the federal government.
For on-the-go deals in ski areas, a solution for consumer seating options is also being sought, Caduff promises. Tourism is the most affected by the new measures. Graubünden, like other mountain cantons, is particularly affected. Here, too, the government expects financial support from the federal government.
Peyer has just one more observation: the corresponding changes to the rapid test regulations must be carefully considered. But they want to stick with the massive testing strategy that has been started. If there were other rapid tests that were easier to use than the above, they would be verified.
Graubünden is also the only canton in Switzerland with a positivity rate below 5%, says Peyer. Twelve of the 22 beds in the intensive care unit are currently occupied, seven of them by corona patients, says Peyer.
The vaccination strategy is also being promoted by the canton, as the vaccine could be ready faster than expected. However, it is to be expected that it will take several months for sufficient doses of vaccine to be available to vaccinate across the country, according to Peyer.
Cultural workers have the right to help
Parolini addresses the federal government’s blockade of leisure: Many cultural workers are affected by these measures. Not only cultural workers are affected, but all industries that are remotely active in the cultural sector. It promises that the canton will do everything possible to help the affected people financially. Currently, cultural companies can request compensation for their economic losses. Cultural workers can now also apply for help directly, as in spring. Also in 2021 there will be no shortening of action agreements with cultural workers, according to Parolini.
Sport yes, but only outside and with care
In the case of sport, the Federal Council measures would imply an extension. The government finds the temporary ban on indoor sports understandable. The sport should continue to be practiced individually at home or outdoors. However, to relieve the hospitals, the government asks them to be careful. Furthermore, a return to distance education should be avoided at all costs, Parolini said. He very much celebrates the fact that the federal government has not planned to toughen up the education sector.
Ski areas will remain open for the moment
The governing council promises that the ski areas will remain open during the weekend. It will then be discussed again on Monday, and the canton must issue permits by Tuesday, they say. Government Councilor Peyer ensures that, whenever possible, the ski areas will receive an adequate delivery time in case they reach a closure. This is possible as long as the epidemiological situation does not change completely suddenly. Peyer asks, however, that tourists move around the ski areas with the necessary sense of responsibility.
