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Special broadcast on the corona virus at 8.05 p.m.
This afternoon after the “Tagesschau” there will be another special program on Corona with the moderator Mario Grossniklaus. You can watch the live stream on SRF 1 and here on the stream. Together with the epidemiologist Marcel Salathé of the ETH Lausanne and the economic historian Tobias Straumann of the University of Zurich, Grossniklaus classifies the flexibilization of the Federal Council from an economic and scientific perspective. In addition, it will also involve representatives from industry, gastronomy and school managers to deepen the impact on their industries.
Is the second stage too early?
“The gradual loosening of the crown measurements is obvious. However, the fact that step two, with an opening for all stores and a partial opening of schools, should take place on May 11 raises questions. After two weeks, it is still not entirely clear what the consequences of the initial first step were, ”writes Nathalie Christen, Parliamentary Editor at SRF.
New York is inactive for at least another month
In the US state of New York, which was particularly affected by the crown pandemic, strict exit restrictions have been extended until mid-May. Among other things, they stipulate that people should stay home as much as possible; non-core companies must remain closed.
Meanwhile, however, signs of a change in the crisis are also growing in the state. The number of patients in hospitals decreased again today, as did the number of patients in intensive care units and ventilators. However, almost 2,000 new infections were found, 606 people died since yesterday.
Reuters
No Super League games yet
The fact that gathering more than five people at the moment is also banned means that sports teams are still unable to start regular training operations. Following today’s Federal Council decision, this will only be possible on at least June 8. It’s also clear that even spectatorless ghost games are unthinkable.
The Swiss Football League (SFL) plans to discuss the effects on professional football in the coming days. “What this gradual relaxation means for the SFL and its clubs in detail is not yet clear at present and therefore cannot yet be discussed,” the SFL said.
Even spectatorless ghost games are initially excluded from Swiss football.
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Almost 10 million people infected in Africa?
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the number of people infected in Africa could increase to ten million in three to six months. However, according to the chief of WHO’s emergency staff in Africa, Michel Yao, this is a preliminary assessment that may still change. For example, the worst fears about the development of the Ebola virus have not been realized due to people’s habits.
It would have changed quickly.
According to official figures, 17,000 people in Africa are currently infected with the virus, 900 of them.
died of it.
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Britain extends restrictions
The UK extends existing restrictions for at least another three weeks. Loosening them now in any way would risk the public
Damaging health and the economy, says Dominic Raab. The Secretary of State conducts business as Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to recover from his Corona illness.
Newer infections in Italy
The number of new infections in Italy is increasing again. More recently, there were 3,786 new cases, after 2,667 the day before, the civil defense said. This means that there are almost 169,000 confirmed infections.
Blue Balls Festival also announces cancellation
The Lucerne Blue Balls Festival will not take place this year. The Lucerne Blues Session association must cancel the festival due to force majeure due to the Covid 19 situation and the worldwide state of emergency, it said in a statement from the afternoon. Shortly before that, the Paléo Festival had announced the end of the 2020 edition.
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Most of the Swiss fleet remains on land.
The Swiss airline will initially extend its minimum flight hours until May 17.
Since March 23, the airline has only used six aircraft for scheduled flights, five of which focus on selected European cities in Zurich and Geneva. Swiss also flies to New York three times a week.
Most of the fleet is on the ground. A total of 85 machines are parked.
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Nightlife reps want income exemption
Bars and clubs will also be closed until further notice. The Zurich Bar & Club Commission now demands “urgently more financial support”. Now he needs more than short-term loans and work, he said in a message. Compensation for cultural enterprises needs to be extended for a period of at least four months. Otherwise, there would be layoffs and a cultural clearing. Furthermore, bars and clubs with DJ culture should also benefit, not just cultural companies with live music. The Commission also calls for a “clear announcement” that closed premises do not have to pay rent.
Disappointment in the catering sector.
Industry association GastroSuisse reacts “very disappointed” to the Federal Council’s exit strategy from the shutdown. He does not understand that gastronomy does not yet have a perspective, according to which many other commercial companies can now return to normal, according to a statement.
“We have always emphasized that it is up to the Federal Council to determine the timing of the reopening,” said Association President Casimir Platzer. “Without communication, however, the Federal Council leaves us completely insecure and without any prospect,” criticizes the Federal Council’s approach.
The cantonal health directors are satisfied
The cantonal health directors welcome the gradual relaxation of measures against the coronavirus, which the Federal Council has announced. You are speaking against the cantons going alone. To avoid overwhelming medical facilities, the exit can only be done in well-dosed steps, according to a message from the conference of cantonal directors of health (GDK).
Paléo has no place
Alain Berset told the media today that major events will only be allowed in a final stage. This also means the end of the largest open space in Switzerland. The Paléo Festival 2012 does not take place, as the organizers say. Its 45th edition should have taken place in Nyon VD from July 20 to 26.
Hairdressers can finally cut hair again
Starting April 27, hairdressing salons can reopen based on hygiene requirements. Trudi Piffaretti from Bützberg (BE) can hardly wait. “My business is my life,” she says. It was strange for her not to work for 5-6 weeks.
This is how parties and associations react to the flexibility measures of the Federal Council
SP: Social Democrats welcome the relaxation of the measures against the coronavirus presented by the Federal Council. “The risk is not the same in all areas,” said SP Group leader and National Councilor Roger Nordmann (VD). One must remain highly disciplined for the next two weeks, says Nordmann.
SVP: In an initial reaction, the SVP is “horrified” by the Federal Council’s “dejected” exit strategy. It is incomprehensible that the government has spoken in favor of facilitating “the smallest steps”. Rather than expanding testing options, obtaining protective masks, and promoting infection tracking through the app, the Federal Council’s strategy is to increase harm to the economy, writes the SVP.
CVP: The CVP welcomes the fact that the Federal Council of Society and Economy is showing a first perspective of what the gradual relaxation of the measures will be like. It is clear to the part that the part wants to get back to normal as fast and as slow as necessary, write the part.
LPG: Green Liberals are in principle behind the Federal Council’s exit strategy for coronavirus measures. Given the burden of corporate debt, the party requires clear criteria for subsequent loan relief. The party advocates the accompaniment of health measures. Personal responsibility remains at the center.
Economiesuisse: The umbrella organization economicuisse sees the decision of the Federal Council as a positive signal for companies and society. The association also requires that entry bans be relaxed. Furthermore, it is not understandable to Economiesuisse, for example, why retail will only open as of May 11, according to a statement.
Trade association: The Swiss Trade Association (SGV) calls on the Federal Council to further open up the economy. It is completely unacceptable to give big traders full freedom and to keep the SME trade closed. That is mass discrimination. The largest governing body of the Swiss economy urges the Federal Council in a statement to correct this “inexplicable wrong decision” immediately.
The federal government threatens to slow down
“The Federal Council must find a new role when emerging from a state of emergency. Otherwise, it threatens to get bogged down, ”SRF business editor Roman Mezzasalma writes in his analysis. “The requirements of the federal council could be adapted to the epidemiological situation at any time. If you can keep them, you should be able to open, work, and do business. The current specific sectoral micromanagement of the Federal Council threatens to unnecessarily increase the economic damage caused by the crisis in the crown ”.
The press conference has ended.
The Federal Council presented the first steps to relax measures against the crown pandemic in Bern. He is planning a multi-stage exit, “as quickly as possible and as slowly as necessary,” as Interior Minister Alain Berset said. On April 27, restrictions for hairdressers, hardware stores, garden centers and hospitals will be lifted. School classes will resume two weeks later. However, it will be a long time before there are festivals or major events again.
“Children are not the drivers of the epidemic”
Children could be carriers of the virus, says a journalist. So are schools a “cauldron” for the virus? Daniel Koch: “Children are not the drivers of the epidemic, in contrast to a flu epidemic. At least we should enjoy this fact.
Can you really go to the pool?
Pools are safe to use, says Daniel Koch of BAG: “They have plenty of chlorine. That kills almost everything. There is no evidence that the virus is transmitted through water.
On another question that revolves around the disease not manifesting in nursing homes, Koch says: Not much is known. “What we know is that the disease is very dangerous for high-risk patients.” Therefore, measures should continue to be observed in retirement homes in particular, but this does not mean that visits are not possible.
Free protective masks for the population?
Is it conceivable that the federal government will distribute protective masks in the future? It is still difficult to obtain many masks, says Alain Berset. Repeat that there are no public mask requirements either. Giving free skins now is not a problem.
