[ad_1]
Corona infections continue to rise in Thurgau, to a record 72 cases on Friday. This morning the canton government reported on new corona measures.
Thurgau District President Walter Schönholzer shows the distance rule.
The canton of Thurgau posted a new record on Friday with 72 confirmed corona cases. At the same time as the announcement of this number, the government announces new measures to contain the pandemic, based on the Epidemic Law.
But these do not go as far as in the neighboring cantons of Zurich and Schaffhausen. There is no mask requirement in public access buildings in Thurgau. “Infections don’t happen in stores,” says district president Walter Schönholzer. It has been shown that most people would be infected at events and celebrations. That is why they want to address the containment of the pandemic there specifically.
Mandatory mask from 30 people
For public and private events of 30 or more people, there is now not only an obligation to report that includes a concept of protection, but also an obligation to wear a mask. “The ultimate goal is to protect the population and the economy from negative effects,” says Schönholzer. Today he is already calling on the population to assume its responsibility. From a legal point of view, the recently resolved measures, which also contain the criminal law consequences of the violations, will not enter into force until they are published in the Official Gazette next Friday.
Government Councilor Urs Martin, head of the Department of Finance and Social Affairs, provides information on the content of government resolutions on new measures related to the corona pandemic.
As an additional measure, starting Monday, contact tracing will be strengthened to track infections by ten civil defense personnel in order to continue guaranteeing operations, says Health Director Urs Martin.
Avoid overloading the hospital’s capacities
In a comparison at the Swiss level, infection rates in Thurgau are relatively low. But they are increasing enormously. In the last week of September, the canton counted an average of 3.6 people per day with a positive corona test. The last three days, however, showed a different picture of daily infections: 43, 54, 72.
“If we don’t decide on the measures in time, we threaten to overload the hospitals in a few weeks.”
That’s what Health Director Martin says. Experience so far has shown: “Hospitalizations will follow later.” However, it is not only the effective number of people who tested positive that skyrockets, but also the rate of positivity. It is now also in the double digit range in Thurgau.
Squeeze for sticks
The Thurgau government refrains from closing restaurants. However, because the follow-up of corona cases showed that a significant part of the infections are due to visits to bars and clubs, he orders a tightening there. Starting next Friday there will be mandatory masks in “dance and standing areas in bars and clubs.” As in restaurants, eating and drinking are only allowed in the rest areas provided for this purpose. Entertainment nights are not excluded from these rules.
District President Walter Schönholzer provides information on the content of government resolutions on new measures related to the corona pandemic.
Looking beyond national borders, district president Schönholzer says closing the border with Germany would be “devastating” for Thurgau. The neighboring country to the north has already included ten cantons on a risk list. Around 5,500 people from Germany cross the border into Thurgau to work every day. Many are employed in the healthcare sector. “Of course there is the possibility of an exemption,” says Schönholzer.
The new measurements of the canton of Thurgau at a glance:
- Obligation to register for public and private events of 30 to 1000 people: From October 23 to December 31, the organizers have the obligation to inform the organizer of the event up to 14 days before the event. A protection concept must also be written and presented. In addition, contact details must be recorded in electronic format. The relevant online registration forms and a brochure will be posted on the canton’s website in the coming days.
- Mask requirement for events of 30 people or more: For public and private events of 30 or more people that take place from October 23, the obligation to wear a protective mask will be introduced until December 31.
- Mask requirement in bars and clubs: In the dance and standing areas of bars and discos, the obligation to wear a protective mask applies from October 23 to December 31. The consumption of food and beverages is only allowed in the seating areas set up for this purpose.
Urs Martin, Health Director Thurgau, on the occasion of the media orientation in Frauenfeld.
Thurgau’s governing council also urges citizens to take responsibility for themselves. A new blockade must be avoided by all means.
The government is tightening measures after the number of corona cases increased exponentially in the canton of Thurgau in recent weeks. The number of people newly infected with Covid-19 has increased significantly since October 1. While an average of 3.6 people were infected every day in the last week of September, the average number of new infections per day was 8.1 in the first week of October and 20.7 in the second week of October, and even 26.9 in the last seven days. – The trend is on the rise, as can be seen in a press release. Government Councilor Urs Martin said at the press conference:
“If we do not decide on the measures in time, there is a risk that the capacity of the hospital will be overloaded in a few weeks.”
It takes two to three weeks for the measures to take effect. Therefore, starting Monday, the civil defense will also support contact tracing, ”said Martin.
The ticker to read:
9:59 am
The press conference is over. Thank you for reading.
9:53 am
In response to a question from a journalist why they decided not to wear mandatory masks in stores, he says Schönholzer: Infections do not occur primarily in businesses, but in the private sector. Also, distance can often be kept in stores. But if you want, you can wear a mask in the store to protect yourself.
9:52 am
The government did decided against a dance ban. If the situation were to be dramatized later, this could still be introduced. Urs Martin said that.
Anyone who does not comply with the guidelines can be punished under the Epidemic Law.
District President Walter Schönholzer at a press conference in late September.
District president Walter Schönholzer appealed: The most important measures are not new. You still need to keep your distance and wash and sanitize your hands regularly.
“So we are convinced that together we can contain the spread of Covid-19. »
9.45 am
CFO Urs Martin at a press conference in late September.
There is a battle over the distribution of testing capabilities, internationally, but also between cantons. Martin: “I informed Federal Councilor Berset about this fact.”
Contact tracing required. We have decided that civil defense will be deployed on Monday. There are ten family members who will help track infections. Contact tracing is handled by the Lung League in Thurgau.
Holds of a new border closure Urs Martin Nothing. Even if there are now 10 cantons on the German risk list. The healthcare system in Thurgau relies on cross-border travelers from southern Germany.
09:39 am
Health Minister Urs Martin says around 70 new cases are being reported today. Yesterday there were 54 new ones.
On hospitalizations, Martin says: This should increase in the coming days. Because: Older people have also been infected in recent days.
9:33 am
The governing council of the canton of Thurgau met in an extraordinary meeting on Thursday. It has decided on the measures that will come into force from next week. Exactly: as of October 23.
- A notification requirement for events, private or public, of 30 people.
- Events with more than 30 people must develop and present a protection concept. Contact details must also be recorded.
- On these occasions a mask is required.
- Masks are also required in clubs and bars. Consumption is only allowed in designated rest areas.
09:31 am
The press conference has started. The regional president Walter Schönholzer and the government councilor Urs Martin provide information.
Walter Schönholzer It says in the introduction: “The coronavirus has changed everything, in society, in the economy, everywhere.” Many are tired. “But the virus is there and it will not go away.” The virus is a problem in all government meetings. Other measures are always discussed.
