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Once again, Switzerland is on a record course. This time, however, it is quite embarrassing. We are one of the countries in Europe where the coronavirus is spreading the fastest. The adjustment that has been in effect across Switzerland since Monday (mask requirement, upper limits for spontaneous gatherings, restaurant seating requirements) is probably not enough to flatten the curve again. The Minister of Health, Alain Berset (48), has already announced that the Federal Council could order new measures.
In doing so, he pressured the cantons to order further tightening. Actually, there is still untapped potential here. The VIEW comparison of the cantonal measures shows: There are pioneers, followers, undecided and even reckless.
The pioneers
The canton on which the Federal Council should be guided when adopting new measures is Valais. This tightened the screw massively on Thursday. Not surprisingly, the mountainous canton is also the new hotspot for the Swiss crown. In response, the cantonal government severely restricted life: bars, discos and brothels were closed. Restaurants can only be open until 10 pm Large events must take place without an audience. Events and activities, including private ones, are only allowed for a maximum of ten people.
Geneva is also relatively strict. The clubs have been closed since the end of July. Events with more than 15 participants must present a protection concept: more than 100 guests are prohibited. School trips are no longer allowed. These tough measures are also understandable: Geneva remains one of the most affected cantons.
Travel companions
In the Central Plateau, the spread of Corona was observed for a long time. But then the cantons took action. Bern, for example, was the first canton in German-speaking Switzerland to have a strict mask requirement and also pushed for a ban on major events. Meanwhile, the two Basles have followed suit. Large events are allowed in Aargau, but in bars and clubs it is not allowed to place the mask on the table. Solothurn, in turn, introduces a curfew on weekends. All the mentioned cantons also have upper limits for events and gastronomy.
Ticino and Vaud are also among the followers. Both cantons were among Corona’s hot spots in the first spring wave. Clubs and discos have been closed for a while, and event limits also apply. Neither of the two toughened the measures in recent weeks. Despite the increase in number.
The procrastinators
The rest of the French-speaking part of Switzerland does not react very decisively. Jura and Neuchâtel, for example, are generous at events. Events with more than 30 people simply need to register in advance. Freiburg does not want events with more than 300 participants, but it does make exceptions. The Jura is tough at least when it comes to mask requirements – if more than 15 people are participating in an event, the mask requirements apply, whether indoors or out. It is mandatory to wear a mask outdoors in Lucerne, at least in the markets. However, the canton relies on event protection concepts.
Zug and Zurich are also among the procrastinators, although the governing council of the most populous canton in the canton is likely to announce new stricter measures today.
The renters
And then there are the eastern and central cantons of Switzerland whose minds have yet to catch the virus. In their lungs, though: even though they have more new infections per capita than, say, the cantons of Mittelland, they only implement Federal Council measures. And often reluctantly. If Federal Bern hadn’t taken over the scepter, there would still be no mask requirements at the Glarus and Nidwalden stores. Graubünden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Uri, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, the two Appenzells and St. Gallen also belong to the renitents. The last three have at least banned dancing.
