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On Wednesday, the Federal Council will decide on additional measures in the fight against the corona pandemic. The requirement for an outdoor mask and the introduction of a curfew are being debated.
In places where many people move, the Federal Council could also make the use of outdoor masking mandatory.
In its session on Wednesday, the Federal Council discussed numerous measures with which it wants to combat the pandemic. The basis is a seven-page document that the state government sent to the cantons for consultation late last week.
Some points of the article are very controversial. In particular, the obligation to wear masks outdoors, the planned curfew for restaurants and the restriction of public events should be a matter of debate in the Federal Council. According to “Blick”, Health Minister Alain Berset wants to go further with the upper limit for public and private events than planned in the consultation document. If you have your way, the upper limit for private events would be 10 people and for public events 25.
The measures proposed in the consultation in detail:
- Everyone should wear a mask in public spaces in residential areas.
- All persons must wear face masks in all publicly accessible indoor and outdoor areas of facilities and businesses, including markets or waiting areas at train stations or at bus stops.
- Mask requirements should apply to indoor work. Exceptions are cases where there are individual offices or when a mask cannot be used for security reasons. Employers must also ensure that employees can work from home whenever possible.
- There is a maximum limit of 50 people for public events. The political assemblies of the legislative power at the federal, cantonal and communal levels are expressly excluded from the restriction on the number of people.
- A maximum of 15 people can participate in private events with family and friends, such as birthdays or weddings.
- For restaurants and clubs there is a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am Guests must be seated and may only consume food and beverages while seated. A maximum of four people must sit at a table. Parents with children are an exception.
- Discos and dance halls are closed and dance events are prohibited.
- Teaching in universities and other secondary schools must be distance learning. Only compulsory school and upper secondary level should be carried out in face-to-face classes. This also applies to classroom activities that require on-site presence.
- A mask is required for teachers and 7th graders, except in situations where a mask makes teaching difficult.
- Sports activities outside of professional sports are restricted. Only non-contact sports with a maximum of 15 people should be allowed. A mask must be worn indoors and distance must be kept. A mask should be worn outdoors if distance cannot be maintained.
- The operation of the professional league is still permissible. Competitive national team athlete training and competitions are also allowed. Training and competition games of teams belonging to a league with predominantly professional gaming operations are also permitted.
- Rehearsals and performances are prohibited for choirs from the non-professional sector. In the professional field, rehearsals and concerts with singers can only be carried out with protective concepts. Choir concerts are completely prohibited.
The Federal Council is also expected to regulate the handling of rapid antigen tests. This involves setting quality standards and integrating rapid testing into your existing testing strategy.
The positions of the cantons diverge widely. They oscillate between criticizing the ruling Federal Council and the request for uniform measures. While very strict rules already apply in Bern, Ticino and Geneva, others are reluctant to go ahead and wait for Bern.
More recently, the canton of St. Gallen has taken a clear position, against new measures by the Federal Council. From the point of view of the eastern Swiss, they arrive too early and therefore cause unnecessary damage. Hospital capacities in the canton are not currently at risk, especially since their increase is already planned. If the Federal Council deems a nationwide tightening necessary, from the point of view of St. Gallen it would have to declare the “extraordinary situation” again, as in the spring.
Zurich security director Mario Fehr also made a statement: he opposed the general requirement to wear a mask in populated areas of the NZZ. As a result, people may not leave the house. Active recovery is crucial, especially in times of Covid. “Otherwise there will be more domestic violence, more child abuse, more suicides at the end of winter.”
The President of the Valais government, Christophe Darbellay, in turn, called for stricter measures from the Federal Council and more money to fight the pandemic. The Valais and other cantons needed “the entire aid program from spring immediately”. Darbellay cited easier access to short-time work, compensation for lost income for the self-employed and access to Covid loans as examples.
The following federal measures are currently in effect:
Wearing a mask is mandatory on public transport, including all access points, as well as in all public access buildings. The obligation does not apply in compulsory schools, upper secondary and tertiary schools, as well as kindergartens in addition to the family, although the cantons may provide for this.
Spontaneous gatherings of more than 15 people in public are prohibited. For private meetings with up to 15 people, only the usual measures apply (1.5 meters distance and hand washing), from this threshold the use of a mask is mandatory except when sitting, and data must be collected contact. Private events of 100 people must have a concept of protection. Amateur sports are excluded from this.
Events with more than 1000 people are generally allowed by the federal government. In restaurants and nightlife venues, the mask can only be removed when the guest is seated, contact details need to be collected. Travelers from high-risk countries must be quarantined for ten days. Regarding the home office, a recommendation applies, but not an obligation. Special rules apply to professional sports.
The cantons have also taken additional measures to combat the pandemic. You can find an overview in our article on the latest developments in Switzerland.
The tougher tightening is hitting several branches of the economy with full force. Measures for restoration would be particularly drastic. The Gastrosuisse association warned on Tuesday that the industry was on the brink of collapse. President Casimir Platzer told the media that he hoped the state government would not completely screw up the restaurant industry. By this, Platzer was primarily referring to another lock or a mini lock. A curfew, even greater minimum distances or lower personal limits are also fatal for businesses. Such tightening would set off a wave of bankruptcies.
The decisions should also have a massive impact on the sport. At the beginning of the week, the presidents of the twelve ice hockey clubs, along with many others, also wrote an open letter to “ladies and gentlemen.” In it, they referred to their “protection concepts that have been evaluated as exemplary and that have passed their practical test.” The letter culminated in the petition: “Let our players play hockey! If you are not allowed to do this in front of people with emotions, because you have prohibited it, then reward us and make contributions to A-fonds-perdu for the additional losses imposed. “
