[ad_1]
The press conference ended
With this, the representatives of the Canton of Zurich will end the press conference. Thanks for your attention. In the live ticker, we will keep you updated on all developments related to the coronavirus.
New Years Eve ends at 10:00 pm
After a question, Fehr once again emphasizes that everything closes at 10 pm also on New Year’s Eve. There will be no public celebrations, that is, there will be no light shows or fireworks. One should celebrate on a small scale. “We don’t want any public events.”
Aren’t measurements too late?
The situation “is very worrying”, confirms Nathalie Rickli. Although the numbers fell briefly in recent weeks, hospitalizations did not.
However, one could wait a bit longer with a possible crash. It could have created hospitable capabilities and still have some air. It is also important because hospitals postpone other treatments.
However, they will react again in due time and perhaps very soon and tighten them even more, before an overload. The numbers should drop immediately.
Are hospitals in Zurich no longer able to accept patients from outside the canton?
No, that’s not the case, says Rickli. But Zurich must prioritize its own population. And one is close to the limit of stress in hospitals. In the worst case, if the situation worsened, it would be necessary to react.
Zurich’s large hospitals are currently treating numerous Covid patients who have been relocated from cantons that already had urgent bottlenecks.
Is the home office a problem?
Steiner says that many large companies already have home offices. That would also have an impact on the city center, for example. She thinks the federal government’s recommendation to work from home would be sufficient. Fehr adds: “A lot of people cannot work from home.”
No restriction to two homes at Christmas
It was important to her that everyone follow the recommendations before December 23, so that Christmas could still be celebrated, Rickli said. The governing council wants people to be able to celebrate Christmas, but in a responsible way, Fehr adds. Recommendations should be followed.
How are contact restrictions verified?
In the private sector, these are recommendations. These are not monitored or enforced, according to security director Fehr. Rickli adds: “Cancel your meeting.” For personal responsibility.
For Christmas the situation will be checked again and what is possible and recommended will be redefined.
Extensive testing?
Someone wants to know if there will be extensive tests in Zurich. Rickli says no, but emphasizes once again that anyone who feels bad can get the test for free. Then the canton would announce the additional strategy in January.
Is there any additional compensation?
No, short-time work continues, says Silvia Steiner. The corresponding requests will be answered quickly.
For the sex trade, there are special efforts for those affected who fall off the net and have no claims. The government is looking for it.
Why are Sunday sales still allowed on December 20?
A journalist wants to know why Sunday sales are only banned from December 24. Steiner says the competition rests with the municipalities. By Dec. 20, municipalities would have to decide whether a Sunday sale can still be held, Steiner said.
Steiner: “The measures are a last chance”
The district president, Silvia Steiner, also confirms her understanding that the measures are a great burden on single people. However, it should also be noted that this moderate increase in measures is a last chance. Otherwise, it threatens a close shutdown. So now it’s everyone’s turn.
Steiner announces that the canton will react before Christmas if the numbers do not improve. Steiner expresses his condolences to all those who have lost loved ones to Covid in recent weeks. You know the tragic stories.
Zurich ready for vaccinations from January
Rickli emphasizes again that the vaccine does not replace current measures. Zurich will be ready for vaccination from January. Thanks to the cantonal pharmacy one is equipped. He still cannot say where the vaccination centers will be. “Variants are marked.” She says that people at risk are vaccinated first and then the healthy population. “As soon as we have more information, we will inform you.”
Rickli on the vaccine
Natalie Rickli takes over again and asks the population again to take the test as soon as they feel uncomfortable. The testing capacity is not exhausted. He goes on to say the following about vaccines: “Three vaccines were ordered from the federal government. As long as it is not clear when he will come and which canton will receive which vaccine, I cannot provide any information. “
Fehr: “I give thanks to the churches”
The Director of Justice expressly thanks the churches and other social institutions for their social commitment during this time. The government also spoke of more money.
Fehr asks that decisions be evaluated in a different way: “We do not run for measures.” You do what is necessary, but the decision against a stricter lockdown is well discussed and justified.
Fehr: “Things must remain possible”
This year everything is completely different, says security director Mario Fehr. Now is a time of humility and a time to care for others. This also applies to the state. It is important to do what is best for society.
The governing council is also thinking of those who suffer the measures and threaten to go back on their own. That is why it is also important to make things possible. That’s why the restaurants stayed open, you could go to the museum and play sports.
If everything was closed and people couldn’t have any encounters, problems would escalate rapidly, Fehr says. You are tackling the issues of domestic violence, loneliness, and suicide.
There are no face-to-face classes in the first week after the holidays.
In the first week of school in 2021, upper secondary students will not have to go to school, but will be able to study from home. Teachers are free to set homework. Exception: In the case of trial classes in high schools, exams can be taken on the spot if required.
Teachers have an important role
I now give the floor to Niklaus Schatzmann, Director of the Office of Secondary Education and Vocational Training. He says teachers have been informed that they have an important role to play in informing students and being role models. They had long discussed how they could ensure a safe start to school after the Christmas break. The solution is the “late week.”
Steiner: “You want to avoid clustering”
The district president, Silvia Steiner, is now talking about the details of the measures. It is necessary to avoid that more crowds form and mix. Steiner asks the population to behave with caution, especially during the festive season.
Steiner explains the new and stricter rules for extended dining, meetings and events, and then talks about the school. Face-to-face teaching should be restricted, also to prevent the numbers from increasing rapidly again, as in summer / fall.
For example, you plan a week of (digital) projects at the high school level and are now planning longer-term, so you are already planning spring and summer entrance and final exams.
These are the measurements in Zurich
The new measures affect, among other things, the areas of gastronomy, sales and meetings. They come into effect on December 10 and are valid until January 10, 2021.
- Extension of the curfew: In the Canton of Zurich, groups of people per table can now come from a maximum of two households. All contact details for all guests should be collected. The federal curfew will be extended by one hour (10 pm). It also applies to gas station stores, for example.
- Restrictions for meetings in public spaces: Federal statutory measures establish a 15-person restriction when people gather in public spaces. The maximum number of people in this type of meeting will be reduced to 10 in the canton of Zurich with a view to the upcoming holidays, the Christmas season and the new year.
- Sales ban on Sundays and holidays: Sales on Sundays and holidays repeatedly lead to crowds of people. Because of this, they will be banned from December 24 to January 10.
- Closed: Zurich closes erotic establishments and casinos.
Rickli: “The situation is serious”
The number of infections would continue to increase and the degree of reproduction (R value) would be greater than 1, explains Nathalie Rickli. If the number of cases continues to increase, you will have a critical situation at Christmas. That is why you have to act. The “super” hospital staff are doing a good job, but they are already under great pressure. Rickli, on behalf of the government, commends all healthcare workers.
Supplies are still guaranteed, Rickli says, but they are “five to twelve.” The government also decides to spend more money on short-term health care.
