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Social life in Switzerland will continue to close during the festive period: restaurants must close at 7:00 p.m., shops must also close on Sundays and holidays. Private gatherings of up to ten people are allowed, as well as sports for five.
The Federal Council decided on Friday. The measures apply from (tomorrow) Saturday, December 12, 2020 and are limited to January 22, 2021.
The state government has largely followed the announcements it made last Tuesday, despite criticism from the cantons. It does not hide the fact that the cantons think little of this solution. “A large majority do not agree with the approach of the Federal Council.” Opinions differ widely.
Because the cantons fundamentally shared the evaluation of the epidemiological situation in the consultation, the Federal Council acted anyway and is committed to “further standardization of measures,” as it writes. The goal is to further reduce the number of contacts and avoid crowds.
Measurements at a glance in the RADIO TOP article:
Audio
Cantons can make exceptions
The curfew from 7:00 pm applies to restaurants and bars, shops and markets, museums and libraries, as well as sports and leisure facilities. Except for catering establishments, the facilities must also be closed on Sundays and holidays. On December 24 and for New Years Eve, the curfew does not apply until 1:00 a.m. Take-out offers and delivery services may remain open until 11 p.m.
Pressure from the cantons and the National Council’s health commission has left more traces. The Federal Council provides exceptions for the cantons “with a favorable epidemiological development”. You can extend the curfew until 11 pm
The prerequisite for this is that the replay value is below the Swiss average for at least one week and the incidence of 7 days for at least one week. In addition, the canton should have sufficient health care and contact tracing capabilities. If a canton wants to extend its opening hours, it must coordinate with neighboring cantons.
Two-household rule as a recommendation
The Federal Council removes other restrictions on private meetings. It is maintained with the previous regulation with a maximum of ten people. Children are also counted. The Federal Council also strongly recommends limiting private gatherings to two households. “This regulation is clear and allows small-scale Christmas parties,” he writes.
The events will also remain banned in the coming weeks. There are also certain exceptions here. Religious celebrations are allowed up to a maximum of fifty people, funerals with family and close friends, assemblies of legislatures and political rallies.
Unaffected professional sports leagues
Sports and cultural activities are only allowed in groups of up to five people. Contact sports are still prohibited. Even in the non-professional cultural sector, group activities are limited to five people.
Children and adolescents before their 16th birthday are still free to practice their activities, except for competitions. Training and competitions of members of a national team are also allowed, as well as training and games in professional leagues, but without an audience. Rehearsals and performances by professional artists or ensembles are also allowed.
TELE TOP with a summary of the measures in Switzerland and in the cantons of the region:
video
Block (partial) not off the table
According to the Federal Council, the number of coronavirus infections is still very high and is increasing again in many cantons. “Hospitals are near the limit of capacity and health personnel are enormously stressed,” says the message. “This situation is worrying, especially since the risk of a further and faster increase in the number of infections in the coming days is high.”
With cold weather, people spend more time indoors. And during the holidays the number of private contacts increases. Therefore, a blockage or partial blockage is still possible in the coming weeks. Next Friday, the Federal Council will analyze the situation again and, depending on the urgency, will discuss “any additional tightening,” as it writes.
The difficulties program is increased
In parallel with the tightening of the crown measures, the Federal Council has also announced that it will increase the hardship program to support companies. This at 1.5 to 2.5 billion Swiss francs. With this step, the Federal Council wants to cushion the new measures against the spread of the coronavirus.
750 million francs, half of the increase, will be paid jointly by the federal government and the cantons, with the cantons contributing 33 percent. If necessary, the federal government should be able to inject 750 million francs as additional contributions to cantonal poverty measures without the cantons contributing financially. This is intended to provide the Federal Council with the opportunity to provide specific support to cantons that are particularly affected by measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
The escalation mechanism should be examined
The Federal Council is trying to find a way to control the pandemic and live at the same time, Health Minister Alain Berset told the media on Friday. The cantons would have a voice in the development of other measures. An escalation mechanism is being examined that could take effect the following week, Berset said. It should be a flexible system, according to which exceptions or adjustments could be possible. The Federal Council will speak to the cantons about this next week.
What now applies to the cantons of Schaffhausen, Zurich, Thurgau and St. Gallen?
The Federal Council approved a minimum tariff with the measures. The hardening standards that already exist in the different cantons continue to apply.
Schaffhausen:
In the canton of Schaffhausen, amateur athletes are still unable to train because all sports facilities are closed. The whole cultural area is also shot, as well as casinos and erotic shops. No more than two households are allowed to meet in private meetings and in restaurants.
Zürich:
The casino, saunas and erotic shops in the canton of Zurich are closed since Thursday. According to the Federal Council, four people can meet in a restaurant, but in the canton of Zurich they cannot come from more than two households. The canton is also stricter than the federal government on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In Zurich, the party is no longer allowed after 10:00 pm There are also restrictions in the area of schools. At the upper secondary level, that is to say in grammar schools and vocational schools, the so-called advanced week should take place after the Christmas holidays. Students are required to complete work assignments independently at home, no classroom lessons are provided.
Thurgau:
In the canton of Thurgau, the head office is compulsory whenever possible. Only people from two households can meet in private meetings.
St. Gallen:
The central office is still required in the canton of St. Gallen, whenever possible. Ski areas such as Flumserberge, Wildhaus or Pizol will remain open until December 22. Thereafter, ski areas need a permit from the canton. Visits to the hospital in St. Gallen are still prohibited until Wednesday, December 16. Skiing camps and days are also prohibited in all schools.
