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The governing council of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden introduces new crown measures at an early stage. The situation threatens to spiral out of control, as the number of cases and the number of hospitalizations in relation to Covid-19 are increasing dramatically.
(pd / rms) The number of cases and the number of hospitalizations related to Covid-19 are increasing dramatically. The situation in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, as well as in the Swiss Confederation, threatens to spiral out of control. That is why the governing council of the canton introduces measures that have been proposed at the federal level at an early stage. The cantonal chancellery wrote this in a press release on Sunday.
The ordinance that the governing council approved in the spring to guarantee hospital capacities, or medical care, will be reactivated. The earlier the measures take effect, the greater their effect. “Every day gained in this way helps protect critical care capabilities from being overloaded,” he continues.
The above measures are no longer sufficient
“The measures taken so far are no longer sufficient to effectively curb the current increase in Covid 19 infections.”
In the past seven days, the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden recorded 179 people newly infected with Covid-19 and late last week reached a peak with 19 people hospitalized at the same time, including two ventilated patients. Both new infections and hospitalizations would currently double in seven days.
Therefore, the governing council of the canton has decided in a special meeting that will apply from midnight on Monday (Monday, October 26, 2020, 00:00 am):
Mask requirement indoors public access and in waiting areas
Until now, all people in indoor public spaces, as well as waiting areas for public transport, train stations and airports, had to wear a mask. The mask requirement now also applies to the outdoor areas of these facilities and businesses. This applies to shops, theaters, cinemas, concert and event halls, restaurants and bars, weekly and Christmas markets, among others.
The requirement to wear a mask in the school area from the upper level for all traffic areas on the school grounds, which was already adjusted last Wednesday, is still valid.
There are no mask requirements on streets, squares and parks or when walking in the woods. There is also no mask requirement for guests in restaurants, as long as the guests are seated at the table. Other individual areas are also generally exempt from the mask requirement, such as daycare centers or people using medical and cosmetic services on the face.
Mask requirement at work
In all workplaces, it is mandatory to wear a mask with exceptions (especially individual offices). Employers should enable home office to the extent possible.
Minimum distance of 1.5 meters
In addition to the obligation to wear a mask in the indoor and outdoor areas, the minimum distance of 1.5 meters must now also be respected. Protection concepts must now respect the principle of “distance and mask”. In order to guarantee the distance between people, access to indoor public spaces, such as shops, is restricted to only one person for every four square meters. In theaters, concert halls and cinemas, in principle, only one out of every two seats can be occupied; this does not apply to families, for example.
Seating is mandatory in restaurants, bars and clubs.
The operation of discos and dance halls, as well as the realization of dance events is prohibited. Seats are mandatory in restaurants, bars and clubs. Groups of no more than four people per table are allowed. The only exception is for parents with children.
There are no events with more than 50 people
Events of more than 50 people are prohibited. A maximum of 15 people can participate in private events with family and friends, such as birthdays or weddings, as long as the hygiene and distance recommendations are respected. Events of 15 to 50 people are only allowed in public facilities and are subject to compliance with a protection concept. Choir rehearsals and concerts are now prohibited. Municipal assemblies and parliamentary sessions at the cantonal and communal level are exempt from restrictions on the number of participants.
Demonstrations are still allowed – with mandatory mask
Political and civil society rallies (demonstrations) and the collection of signatures are also allowed. However, the mask requirement must be met.
Hospital capabilities could be exhausted soon
The cantonal chancellery also writes:
“If the number of infections develops to the same extent as in the past two weeks, the hospital’s ability to treat Covid 19 patients will soon be exhausted.”
Therefore, the governing council is taking the measures described above with immediate effect. Every day the new measures go into effect, it helps the hospital’s capabilities not run out anytime soon.
The Health Office records daily the status of free beds, intensive care and ventilation places. The status of medical personnel that can be used to care for COVID-19 patients is also recorded. Private service providers provide staff, places of care, and equipment if needed.
Elective surgery ban
Currently, the governing council is refraining from banning elective interventions, but is confident that hospitals will scale back interventions to the extent that sufficient capacity to treat COVID-19 patients is ensured. In spring a corresponding regulation was approved.
Due to the rapid and strong increase in new cases of Covid-19 in the last 3 weeks in the eastern cantons of Switzerland, currently contact tracing can only be maintained with restrictions. Capacities are being expanded for this important measure to take full effect again as soon as the epidemiological situation stabilizes.
