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The parties demand: the Federal Council should act now
The SP, CVP and the Greens welcome the fact that the Federal Council wants to regain control of the corona pandemic. Criticism is strong at the SVP. The party announced that it was rejecting restaurant closings across the country and restricting store opening hours as an additional “arbitrary” measure by the Federal Council. The Federal Council must not interfere with the sovereignty of the cantons.
However, the Federal Council receives support for uniform measures throughout Switzerland 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.
The CVP, the SP and the Greens criticize the wavering reactions of the Confederation and the cantons. “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 occurs when individual cantons or regions get out of hand in 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.
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. “
Berset: “We are in a worrying situation”
“Today we are not where we would have liked a month ago. The number of cases has increased to a very high level in some cantons, ”says Health Minister Alain Berset. “We wanted to have a good contact tracing situation before Christmas. But we are in a worrying situation. “The number of cases has now stagnated at a very high level, explains Berset.” This is the first time in the pandemic that we are in such a delicate situation. “Doubling the number of cases as March or October would be very dangerous now.With the package of measures, one now wants to face the difficult situation.
“It will be difficult again during the holidays”
“We want to provide security in these uncertain times,” emphasizes Sommaruga. “We all know what to do and where we are. It will be difficult again, and that during the holidays of all time. But it is about the health of the population and avoiding further economic damage. The worst part of a pandemic is when action is taken too late. The Federal Council wants to avoid that. “
Sommaruga: “The federal government has to take over the reins”
Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga opens the press conference. “The situation of the crown is getting worse again. The Federal Council must take the reins again. The last few days have shown that the federal government itself has to order measures, because infections are increasing too fast and with too much force, ”says Sommaruga.
Specifically, the Federal Council decided on a package of three measures, which can now be decided by the cantons. These are immediate measures, measures in case of escalation and auxiliary measures for the sectors especially affected.
The Federal Council wants to standardize the measures of the crown
The Federal Council is concerned about the epidemiological situation in Switzerland and wants to improve it quickly with a multi-stage process. At the meeting on Friday, December 11, he wants to standardize and tighten the national crown measures. The state government makes the following proposals to the cantons in a consultation:
- Catering establishments, shops and markets, leisure establishments and sports activities Need It closes at 7 pm and is closed on Sundays.
- by private events applies a maximum number of 5 people from two households. The exceptions are celebrations for up to 10 people from December 24 to 26 and December 31.
- public events except for religious celebrations and legislative meetings prohibited.
- Any cultural activity (including school activities) prohibited. Professional sector events with an audience are prohibited, with the exception of events streamed online without an audience.
the The measures must be applied from December 12 to January 20. In case the situation worsens even more in the next week, the Federal Council plans to adopt new measures at its meeting on December 18, such as closing restaurants and shops.
The Federal Council has also instructed the Federal Department of Finance, in cooperation with other departments, to examine measures for possible compensation for the worst affected sectors and to submit appropriate proposals to the Federal Council before December 18. The Federal Council will hold its first debate on December 11.
Federal Council press conference at 6:30 pm
Last Friday, the Federal Council gave an ultimatum to the cantons with negative case numbers, so to speak: if they do not tighten their measures, the Federal Council intervenes. Since then, several cantons have adapted their rules, today, among others, Zurich and Basel-Landschaft.
At 6:30 pm, Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga and Health Minister Alain Berset will appear in front of the media. We broadcast on the live stream and on SRF info.
