The Federal Council fears the “difficult situation of the crown” as of mid-March

The Federal Council fears the “difficult situation of the crown” as of mid-March

Three federal councilors exchanged views with party leaders on Friday. He also explained how they currently assess the crown situation and when they fear a possible third wave.

Maja Briner and Othmar von Matt / ch media

Health Minister Alain Berset has already prepared the population this week: a large-scale relaxation is not expected by the end of February. In Von Wattenwyl’s traditional talks with party leaders on Friday, the Federal Council showed in more detail how it currently evaluates the situation.

According to sources, the government expects a “difficult situation” from mid-March. The most contagious variant of the virus, which was first discovered in the UK, will be the dominant one and could increase the number of cases. The state government fears that a third wave could hit Switzerland. Federal President Guy Parmelin, Health Minister Alain Berset and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis participated in Von Wattenwyl’s talks with party leaders.

The Federal Council’s forecasts are based on end-of-December scenarios. However, for the next several weeks, the effects of vaccination should also be considered. The scientific working group presented simplified model calculations in December. These showed two scenarios: the first assumed that the number of cases would decrease dramatically since January (halving every two weeks). In this case, despite the mutated virus, there is only a slow increase in spring.

However, if the number of cases decreases less sharply (halving every four weeks), the curve has increased rapidly since mid-March. In April there could be more than 20,000 new infections per day.

Next Federal Council meeting canceled due to vacation

We now know that the number of cases has decreased since the beginning of the year, but not as much as expected. According to the Federal Council, the situation is currently very uncertain. One thing is clear: There are no plans to make big flexibilities, restaurants and many more are likely to remain closed beyond February. At most, very slight loosening is possible, he says.

The government has yet to make a decision on how to proceed after February. The Federal Council wants to discuss this again on Wednesday in a week. If the replay value, which shows how many people someone infects on average, is below one, this could put pressure on the Federal Council to relax it at least a little.

Official Federal Council holidays are next week; the weekly meeting is canceled. Those who participated in the Von Wattenwyl talks had the impression that the Federal Council should now be given one more week. (aargauerzeitung.ch)