Protective mask in shopping – Canton of Solothurn is also introducing mandatory masks in stores – News

• Now also in the canton of Solothurn: Anyone entering a store or shopping center must wear a protective mask.
• The canton announced that the mask requirement applies from Thursday, September 3.
• “The canton is responding to the increasing number of new infections in recent weeks and the trend across Switzerland in the number of cases,” is the reason.
• Until now, this mask requirement applies in the cantons of Freiburg, Basel-Stadt, Zurich, Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura and from Monday also in Valais.

Solothurn responds to the growing number of cases with the latest regulations. In grocery stores, bakeries, home improvement and garden stores, furniture stores, and also eyewear stores, the mask should be applied to the face.

Exceptions

Weekly markets and kiosks do not fall under the new mask-wearing requirement, because customers are here outdoors, as well as post offices, banks and travel agencies, because they consider themselves service providers.

Children do not have to wear a mask until after the age of 12. And the sales staff can also do without the mask if it is well protected behind a partition (eg Plexiglas).

The protective mask should also be worn in shopping malls, not just individual stores: “In the steps of general visitors to shopping malls that do not belong to a specific store or service provider, everyone should always wear a mask.”

Exaggerated measure?

In the last 7 days, an average of only 4 people per day were infected in the canton of Solothurn and, at a rate of 1.5 per 100,000 population, the infection rate is very low compared to other cantons. So why the mask requirement anyway?

“We look at the general situation, not the individual days. That is why we have made the use of a mask mandatory, ”says Health Director Susanne Schaffner (SP). As of October 1, important events that pose a risk of infection will also be allowed again. And people have become “more laid back,” especially in stores, Schaffner noted.

Isn’t Solothurn going to be an island like this? Neighboring cantons such as Aargau, Bern or Basel-Landschaft do not currently have a mask requirement. You are in contact with the cantons, the cooperation is good, but each canton is autonomous, said health director Schaffner.

Regional aspects are important, but not decisive, says Schaffner. In the case of the rule of 100 in the clubs (maximum 100 guests), instead, they had agreed with the surrounding cantons.