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Austria turns crown traffic light to red – Ischgl is also affected
Austria changes its crown traffic light to red for numerous districts and regions in light of the expansion of the corona pandemic. Popular tourist areas such as Zell am See or St. Johann im Pongau are affected, as the Austrian news agency APA.
In the state of Tyrol, the Landeck district was also classified as red – the Ischgl winter sports resort is located in this district, which became a Corona hotspot in March. So far, the Austrian Crown traffic light has been red in four districts, including Hallein in Salzburg and the city of Innsbruck.
The Corona traffic light has been in operation in Austria since the beginning of September. With their help, the infection status is reassessed every week and displayed in color on a map, usually for each district.
More than 40,000 new infections in France
The corona virus continues to spread rapidly in France. The state Ministry of Health reports 41,622 new infections, the highest number ever recorded in one day. This means that a total of 999,043 cases are known. The number of deaths increased from 162 to 34,210.
Different handling in Bern
A few hundred meters as the crow flies from the Wankdorf football stadium, on the Expo site in Bern, the “Suisse Caravan Salon” takes place, with more than a thousand visitors every day. The federal government does not classify the fair as a major event, so it can be held. The canton of Bern has also issued the permit.
What is different about this event than in the soccer stadium next door, where large events with more than a thousand visitors are banned from this week?
More restrictions in Europe
In Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a nightly curfew in the capital Athens and Thessaloniki. In these cities, in addition to the curfew from midnight to 5 a.m., the wearing of masks both indoors and outdoors will be mandatory from Saturday, he announced in a televised speech.
In Portugal, three municipalities in the north of the country have been cordoned off and an exit restriction has been imposed, the government said. The approximately 150,000 residents of these communities will only be allowed to leave their homes to go to work or school, to go shopping or buy medicine. All stores must close by 10 pm
Current donation level: 1.3 million francs
As part of the national solidarity day “Coronavirus International”, Swiss Solidarity is collecting money for 16 hours to combat the corona crisis in already weakened countries.
Round table with business associations: “Do everything possible to avoid closures”
Economy Minister Guy Parmelin exchanged ideas with representatives of the Swiss economy. At the end of the round table, which was held by phone, they agreed that the closure of companies should be avoided by all means. “All other measures must be taken in advance,” the EAER statement said. Or in other words: “Other measures that restrict the gathering of people in public and private spaces will only be taken if they are really necessary.”
To keep the situation under control, protection concepts should be strictly respected. After the meeting, the Swiss economy and EAER made it clear that protecting the population and protecting the economy were not in contradiction. “The costs to the economy are lower when the spread of the virus is contained as quickly as possible.”
Curfew for 46 million residents in France
Prime Minister Jean Castex announced the introduction of a curfew from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am for “a total of 54 departments and one overseas territory”. According to their own statements, this affects 46 million inhabitants of the country.
Almost 67 million people live in France. So far there has been a night curfew in the Paris metropolitan area and eight other metropolises. Since the weekend between 9pm and 6am, people have not been allowed to be on the streets without a valid reason. It’s too early to assess the effects of the curfew there, Castex said. Depending on the results, the situation will be reassessed and measures may be tightened.
Reuters
KOF boss considers a new blockade increasingly likely
While the number of corona cases is increasing, the order of a second blockade for Switzerland is increasingly likely again. According to the head of the KOF economic research center at ETH Zurich, Jan-Egbert Sturm, it should be as short and difficult as possible, as he explains in an interview with the AWP news agency.
“The number of cases is currently very worrying and hospitalizations are also increasing significantly. If it stays that way, in a few weeks it won’t work without another lock. Unfortunately, this is why the negative scenario is becoming more and more likely, ”says Sturm.
Keystone
Killed in vaccine study in Brazil
A test person died during the study of a corona vaccine by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in Brazil. Brazilian health surveillance authority Anvisa confirmed to the German press agency on Wednesday. The cause of death was not clear at first. The newspaper “Estado de S. Paulo” reported that the study participant had received a placebo and had no previous illnesses.
The British-Swedish group developed the vaccine in collaboration with the University of Oxford. According to its own information, Anvisa had already been informed of the death on Monday. The recommendation is to continue testing.
Basel-Stadt introduces the mandatory use of masks from secondary school
The requirement to wear a mask is being expanded in schools in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Starting next week, the masks should be worn not only on the school premises, but also during high school lessons.
This new regulation will come into effect next Monday, as announced by the Basel Department of Education. The extended mask requirement applies to high schools, elementary schools, FMS, and vocational schools. Elementary schools are excluded. In addition, beginning in high school, physical education in the classic form with contact sports will be suspended until further notice. However, alternative programs are being developed, it says in the statement.
The reason for the measure is the sharp increase in the number of corona cases in recent days.
Keystone
Thanks for your interest
This concludes today’s federal and cantonal press conference. We will keep you updated on the most important developments of the corona crisis on the live ticker and on our broadcasts. You can also find out the situation online at any time, for example with our charts for hospital bed occupancy in Switzerland.
The Valais as a model for the federal government?
A journalist asks if the Valais could serve as a model for the federal government. Not everything is decided, everything flows, evades Berset. The Valais had taken decisive action, which was logical given the situation. The Federal Council will examine the situation according to the canton and will also examine the situation throughout Switzerland to take a sensible course. Berset cites the example of masks in the summer, as some cantons had also gone ahead and the federal government later issued the requirement for masks on public transportation.
Berset: rapid tests should be used soon
Rapid tests showed good results in scientific analyzes, says Alain Berset. Now they want to use them soon.
But rapid tests, when in use, should only be used as part of the national testing strategy, not, for example, to test entire companies, Berset says. They want to have enough test capacity available, that’s the main goal of rapid tests.
Uniform rule for the limit of 1000?
“Will there be uniform rules for the 1000 limit?” Asks a journalist. That was the topic of the talks, but Lukas Engelberger doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. That is the subject of the consultation. But where we are going is predictable. Engelberger does not go into more detail.
Engelberger: “We wanted to talk about the big lines”
To what extent the cantons agree to the measures, asks a journalist. Engelberger, President of GDK: “We wanted to talk about the big lines.” Everyone agrees there. They want to slow down public life a bit, but not completely restrict the most important areas of the economy and society. The GDK had exchanged ideas “without describing very specific measures,” says the president of the Conference of Health Directors.
Berset: The question of funding was raised too early
A journalist wants to know if there is more help for restaurants. Alain Berset responded that this was discussed today and will continue to be discussed.
The most urgent thing to do now is to take action. Berset also answers the question of who finances what financially for the measures at the moment. If you do not act decisively, the consequences will be much greater later.
Berset: “We do not want to go blind regarding the measures”
Question from journalists: What federal proposals are being consulted with the cantons and why are they acting only on Wednesday? Berset: “There is a legal basis that requires consultation.” Berset defends himself so far that they have reacted very quickly. We would also like to see how the situation evolves with the strict measures taken so far. After all, you don’t want to fly blind when taking measurements. The task force told him yesterday that they still have four weeks “until nothing works.” Of course, he wants to reduce this time and take action sooner, says the Interior Minister. Therefore, they would also go to the Federal Council on Wednesday.
The possible measures on Wednesday will affect the areas of gatherings, public facilities and events, says Berset.
Berset: All the cantons are aware of the seriousness of the situation
A journalist asks about the role of the cantons. Alain Berset emphasizes that he is happy with the close cooperation with the cantons. Today’s exchange showed how dire the situation is. There are different sensitivities in the individual cantons, but that is part of federalism and it is not a surprise. All the cantons share the analysis of the situation. The situation is not good and we must act, that was consensus.
Financial support for those affected by the measures is still unclear
Are the cantons prepared to bear the economic damage caused by increasing cantonal restrictions for those affected? When asked by the journalist, GDK president Lukas Engelberger replied: “We will have to talk about that, I can see it too.”
What is meant by sharing roles?
The journalist’s first question follows: What do the cantons expect from the federal government? The core rules must be defined at the federal level and must be applied throughout Switzerland, says GDK President Lukas Engelberger. The severely affected individual cantons can take additional action, Engelberger said. This is what he means by sharing roles.
