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The clamor against the end of seven in the afternoon proposed by the Federal Council is enormous. Many cantons are offended. The trade association defends itself against the “prevention of the Christmas business”. SVP and FDP are also attacking the federal council’s toughening proposals. And the Health Commission of the National Council warns of an “unnecessary invalidation” of the cantons by the federal government.
The massive criticisms surprised the Federal Council. If SP Health Minister Alain Berset (48) had to give in to the ski area issue last week, this time he is largely trying to keep the hard line, according to the Bundesbern. If the proposals are diluted too much, an epidemiological catastrophe threatens between Christmas and New Years.
The session starts earlier
It is indisputable in the Federal Council that stricter and more uniform standards are needed, but opinions differ widely on individual points. In any case, Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga (60) scheduled the Federal Council meeting earlier on Friday because she expected a longer debate. It starts at eight o’clock.
The following points are particularly important:
- Curfew: Restaurants, shops, and leisure activities like gyms should close between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the original proposal. For many stains this is no longer worth it. Therefore, there is talk of a compromise solution: therefore, the curfew could be established a little later, probably at 9 pm What Health Minister Berset should not prove.
- Sunday closing: The proposal that restaurants and shops not be allowed to open on Sundays and holidays is also coming under massive attack. Such a Sunday blockade could lead to more crowds on Saturdays, especially during the Christmas business, critics fear. It could amount to an exemption from Sunday closings, at best only for ski resorts.
- Family gathering: In private, a maximum of five people from two households should meet; this requirement is probably too strict for some in the Federal Council. The two-home rule is particularly controversial as it is impractical for many families. According to reports, the upper limit could remain at ten people; It remains to be seen if the two-home rule will stick or if it will only be issued as an urgent recommendation.
- Events ban: With the exception of religious celebrations (with a maximum of 50 participants) and parliamentary assemblies, public events are completely prohibited. Professional events, such as ice hockey games, without an audience are still allowed. This point is practically indisputable.
- Compensation for failures: With the new restrictions, the economy gets into even more trouble. Therefore, the Federal Council wants to decide on an additional compensation package. There is talk of “several hundred million”, at most around 500 million, in addition to the companies affected, which are going to implement a simplification and expansion of the regulation of hardships. The amount also depends on the restrictions decided by the Federal Council. A blanket clause is also available as an option: Parliament could give the Federal Council a power of attorney so that it doesn’t have to ask for it all the time. The issue of compensation will be resolved by parliament in the urgent Covid-19 law in the winter session.
Intense discussions are scheduled
One thing is clear: there is likely to be a violent fight in the Federal Council on Friday. The representatives of the hard line are Sommaruga, Berset and the Minister of Defense, Viola Amherd (58). They are based on the increasing number of infections and warn of the collapse of the health system during the holidays. So they want to crack down and generously compensate affected industries. They face four federal FDP and SVP advisers who were subjected to massive pressure from their parties.
At least one would have to side with the center-left coalition to create a majority for the hardening. Is this Guy Parmelin (61) who, under the impression of his election as federal president, in the best of cases puts the epidemiological situation above the interests of indignant business unions? Or is it Karin Keller-Sutter (56), who, as the innkeeper’s daughter and former president of the retail association, is close to the industries that would be particularly affected? He is said to have written an extremely critical report on Berset’s plans.
Even insiders under the dome of the Bundestag dare not make a forecast on Thursday night. The unrest in the offices is great, much will depend on the discussion in the Federal Council room.
Damocles Blocking Sword Remnants
The sword of Damocles from a confinement throughout Switzerland also remains hanging over the population. Because if the epidemiological situation continues to deteriorate by December 18, the government will decide another shutdown.
So shops and restaurants, possibly only in individual cantons or regions, would have to close completely. Possibly it would come into effect on December 19, and thus it would come to the holidays.
The head of the working group advises: “R-value too high in all parts of Switzerland”(02:04)
