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Tighter measures in some cantons
The number of infections in Switzerland remains high and is decreasing too slowly. Consequently, the Federal Council has asked some cantons to order stricter measures. Some of them have already followed the request, as our summary shows:
How does the Biontech / Pfizer mRNA vaccine work?
Switzerland currently continues to view with skepticism the vaccination campaigns that are being launched around the world. According to a survey, more than half of the Swiss currently do not want to be vaccinated against the crown. The Biontech / Pfizer mRNA vaccine, which has been approved in Britain today, uses parts of the genetic material of the virus and thus activates the body’s immune system.
For a corona vaccine, the years are reduced to months
It takes about 15 years to develop a vaccine. With the massive worldwide spread of the coronavirus, global competition for the production of an effective vaccine was unleashed among pharmaceutical, biotech and biotech companies, as well as research institutes. The time it takes to develop and approve a Covid-19 vaccine has been reduced from years to months, as our graphical implementation shows:
Biden Announces Major Vaccination Campaign
US President-elect Joe Biden announces 100 million corona vaccines during the first 100 days of his term. The situation will likely get worse before it gets better, he says. He couldn’t promise that the pandemic would end after 100 days, but there could be a U-turn. At the same time, he asked Congress to release more funds to fight the pathogen.
When the nursing profession leads to burnout
More and more nurses are mentally and physically exhausted in the second Corona wave. The example from the canton of Neuchâtel shows that exposure to corona among nursing staff can lead to burnout. “We have more and more work on our shoulders, but we are very understaffed,” says Christophe Mathys, who works as a physiotherapist at Neuchâtel Hospital and suffered from exhaustion due to the corona pandemic.
Most parties welcome the plan of the Federal Council
The SP, CVP and the Greens celebrate the fact that the Federal Council wants to “take more reins” in the crown pandemic. The SVP, for its part, criticizes the widespread closures of restaurants and the restriction of store opening hours as an “arbitrary” measure. The Federal Council must not interfere with the sovereignty of the cantons.
However, the Federal Council receives support for uniform measures at the national level from the SP, CVP and the Greens. “Now solidarity and responsibility are needed again to reduce the number of infections and also help the affected industries,” CVP writes on Twitter.
However, the wavering reactions of the Confederation and the cantons are criticized. “The Federal Council must finally present a binding strategy to contain the coronavirus and align its measures with the previously defined target values,” the Greens write in their position paper on Covid-19.
The press conference ended
This ends the press conference. Of course, we will keep you informed about developments and reactions after the decisions of the Federal Council. Thanks for your interest.
The uniform ski rule is not provided throughout Europe
A journalist asks if uniform regulation with other European countries is still a problem for ski resorts. «We are in constant contact with other countries. We have a very good exchange. But uniform regulation is no longer provided, ”says Berset. “But we informed ourselves very well.”
No more than 5 people in private meetings
“We also want to reduce contacts at private events,” emphasizes Berset. “This is something that has never been done before and we are trying to find the best solution. The next few weeks with a high number of cases will be difficult, so we have to limit our contacts and not meet with more than five people ”. Up to ten people should be allowed to gather during the holiday season.
However, at the same time, the Federal Council offers the possibility of exceptions for the midnight Masses at Christmas and New Years. Exceptions may be made during the holidays.
Professional sport affected?
Do professional sporting events have to end at 7 pm ?, asks a journalist. “The current regulation stipulates that events in professional sports can also be held without an audience.” Times need to be clarified in detail, says BAG’s Michael Gerber.
What should apply to schools and snow sports?
“Cultural activities should be prohibited in schools. What that means exactly now needs to be discussed with the cantons in the consultation process. In the next five weeks we have to make sure that the situation does not get out of control, ”emphasizes Alain Berset. Jurist Michael Gerber adds: “It’s also about cultural activities in music schools, where now we have to make rules.”
“The means of transport in the ski areas are part of the public transport, since there are simply capacity limits. Gastronomy on the ski slopes should, of course, adhere to the new stricter measures, ”explains Berset.
Rail links: in contact with Italy
Has the Federal Council debated the suspension of rail connections between Switzerland and Italy ?, asks a journalist. That wasn’t the issue today, Sommaruga says. “But the railways of the federal states and we at the federal level are in contact with Italy,” said the federal president. “We are now looking for solutions to these very specific questions as quickly as possible that will really bring something to the affected cantons, especially regarding the problem of cross-border travelers. Sommaruga will report to the Federal Council on Friday about upcoming talks with Italy.
Berset: “We are better than in March”
“The current situation is not comparable to that of March. Today we are on a completely different level than the first wave. We have protection concepts, we know how to protect ourselves and people are well informed. Today we do not think a total blockade is necessary. We want to tighten the basic measures in all the cantons and thus achieve a stabilization of the epidemiological situation ”, explains Berset.
When will the next level of climbing come?
The Federal Council has opted for a procedure with two levels of escalation. A journalist wants to know what criteria would trigger a second stage of escalation.
“Escalation applies if the situation in individual cantons or regions gets out of hand across Switzerland. If the canton does not act as the federal government believes it should, the Federal Council can order further measures. That goes in the direction of closing restaurants or shops, ”says Sommaruga. The criteria by which this is done will now be discussed with the cantons.
Compensation is being examined
A journalist wants to know if any compensation also has to do with business income support. It has not yet been defined in detail which areas will be included. “Now we want to look with the interested industries to see what it is about and define it together,” says Sommaruga.
Have the cantons failed?
“For the first time we have reached a point where we say that the numbers are stagnant at a high level. That is worrisome. The cantons still have to do their part, but we have to step up measures. A federal system is always very demanding, ”Berset responded when asked if the cantons had failed with their previous strategy to combat pandemics.
Isn’t it time to proclaim the “extraordinary situation”?
There is currently no need to act, says Sommaruga. The legal basis in the particular situation would be sufficient to take sufficient action. “We take the situation very seriously.”
Ski areas not currently affected
Does the closure of sports and leisure facilities on Sunday also apply to ski areas? Asks a journalist. Berset responds that the regulation does not currently apply to outdoor sports. The Health Minister points out that restaurants and shops in ski areas are also affected by the measures.
What to do if some cantons do not participate?
“The rule of closing stores at 7 pm would apply to the entire country. Of course, the cantons will now be asked in consultation. But then the decision rests with the Federal Council. The federal government can and should order more measures ”, emphasizes Berset. However, one remains in the special situation and must consult the cantons according to the Epidemic Law.
All cantons should unite
A journalist wants to know why French-speaking Switzerland should now consider the national solution when restrictions were put in place there at an early stage. “We would like all cantons to implement this package of immediate measures accordingly. These measures seem necessary to us for the next five to six weeks, ”explains Alain Berset. “Now we are seeing that the number of cases is stagnating at a high level also in French-speaking Switzerland. That is why these cantons must also participate. “
