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Berlin wants to “clean up” in German slaughterhouses
The federal government calls for the precarious situation in German slaughterhouses and the accumulation of corona infections. German Labor Minister Hubertus Heil promised legal consequences: “We are going to clarify these conditions,” the Bundestag said. Corona’s cabinet will take measures next Monday that go beyond previous regulations, he said. “As a society, we cannot continue to observe how people from Central and Eastern Europe are exploited in this society,” said Heil.
The minister stressed that current outsourcing in the industry was “the root of the problem”. Therefore, he campaigned to think fundamentally about the currently widespread construction contract constructions.
TCS calls for campsites to open
The campsites in Switzerland are still closed. The Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) now demands an immediate opening. The required protection concepts could be very well implemented, especially in the camps. From the TCS perspective, the hesitation of the Federal Council is no longer understandable. In Germany, some of the campsites have already been opened, according to a press release.
The position of the Federal Council deprives the Swiss population of an important opportunity to go on vacation to their own country. It also leads to distortions of the market and competition in the accommodation industry with serious economic consequences for campsites as hotels, youth hostels and SAC cabins have already opened their doors to guests.
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Sweden does not recommend traveling abroad
Sweden has taken more liberal measures against the crown pandemic compared to other European countries. Bars, shops and schools never closed. However, compared to its Scandinavian neighbors, the country has to cope with most infections and deaths: As of Wednesday, nearly 28,000 infections had been reported and 3,460 people with Covid-19 disease had died.
The government now advises its citizens not to take trips abroad that are not absolutely necessary until the summer. Due to the continuing uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the Swedish Foreign Ministry is temporarily extending its corresponding recommendation, which has been in effect from mid-March to July 15. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Foreign Minister Ann Linde announced this at a press conference.
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Solidarity bond in Biel
The city of Biel wants to give each inhabitant a “solidarity voucher” of CHF 25. This must be exchanged in shops and businesses in Biel from July 1 to September 30. To finance the “Biel for Biel” campaign, the city council is asking the city parliament for an additional loan of 1.54 million Swiss francs.
The city government hopes that the campaign will have a multiplier effect: each franc used with a “solidarity voucher” should in turn generate several francs in sales for the Biel companies. Biel authorities also support local shops, restaurants and institutions with the delivery of 100 free protective masks each. The city council has approved a CHF 100,000 loan for this.
The ban on assembly must remain
The Bern City Council still does not want to know about the protests. The federal government-mandated assembly ban still applies, he said, and appealed to the population to refrain from protests. The city government is particularly targeting opponents of Corona’s measures, who want to demonstrate again in the city center next Saturday. The past two Saturdays, several hundred people had gathered at the Bundeshaus for demonstrations.
In both cases, the police did not remove tear gas and rubber bullets quickly because there were older people and many children in the crowd. The protests were only dissolved after a long time and after some pressure from the police.
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TGV drives again
TGV trains between Switzerland and France are operating again. Since Monday there has been a daily connection between Geneva and Paris and between Basel and Paris.
Starting next Monday, TGV Lyria will offer two daily connections between Geneva and Paris or Basel and Paris. The Franco-Swiss railway company is preparing once again to extend the schedule for June and next summer.
It is mandatory to wear a mask on board the train, even for children over the age of eleven. Without a protective mask, it is prohibited to enter the train. During the journey, all train attendants also wear masks to protect passengers.
Passengers must also present documents that justify their trip. In France, travel of more than one hundred kilometers is only allowed if it is well founded.
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BR: Greater support for the cultural sector.
The Federal Council decided to extend support to the cultural sector for four months until September 20. On March 20, 2020, the state government made CHF 280 million available for two months to complement measures to mitigate the macroeconomic consequences.
However, the Federal Council said in a statement that the effects of the corona virus on the cultural sector would go far beyond the current duration of this support. The total amount remains at CHF 280 million at the moment. However, funds that were previously used to finance interest-free loans for cultural companies are now being partially allocated to the default compensation. So far, requests for support totaling CHF 234 million have been received.
Corona app: Federal Council launches pilot operation
The app, which aims to help curb the coronavirus epidemic in Switzerland, will soon enter the testing phase. The Federal Council has created a temporary legal basis for this.
The “Swiss Proximity Tracking System” is expected to be tested by ETH Zurich and Lausanne employees, members of the military and employees of hospitals and administrations starting next week, the Federal Council announced. The application will also be available to individuals and organizations so that they can discover any technical flaws and usability problems.
The Federal Council has adopted a regulation as a legal basis. This is limited to June 30, 2020. At its next meeting, the Federal Council intends to pass the legal basis for the proper functioning of the application to Parliament. The law should be able to pass this in the summer session.
End of the press conference with Viola Amherd
The press conference is over. Thank you for your interest and of course we keep you updated in our ticker.
“You have to save somewhere”
A lawsuit from soccer clubs that already have a low salary structure, such as FC Thun: How should these clubs reduce wages by 20 percent? Baspo director Remund is somewhat surprised by the question: “Hm. We have to do that with FC Thun. There is public opinion that footballers earn too much. That partially invalidated the league. And there are big differences. But I think so: you have to save somewhere. Salary share is a big part of spending. »
Army withdrawn after June 15?
Starting June 15, the borders should be somewhat more normal. Will the army withdraw at this time? It depends on the Border Guard. They have responsibility for the operation. It is currently difficult to answer. The army is only a subsidiary.
So far 20 million for sports
A journalist asks how the loans would be calculated. For international associations, 150 million francs are expected, Amherd repeats. This was shared between the IOC and the federal government, as well as the cantons (where the associations are located).
So far, 20 million (15 in professional sports) have been spent on sports loans, adds Baspo director Remund. How the leagues divided the loans depended on them. This is all complex.
No dating even for lower leagues
Another question is when the game starts again in the lower leagues. He would like to give an exact date, says Amherd. “But unfortunately that is not possible.” The first relaxation has already started and now it is necessary to follow how the pandemic situation develops. “I would love to announce that it will continue in a month.”
Football season without relegation?
In ice hockey, it was determined that there would be no decline this season. Would not the same be an idea for football? “Clubs should say that, I can’t say much about it,” says Matthias Remund.
Amherd: don’t expect loan defaults
Another question is which federal government expects default rates. Actually, he doesn’t expect failure, says sports minister Amherd. Check if someone is viable before there is a loan. In addition, additional safeguards were installed. “We have put some guarantees. But you never have 100 percent security. It’s about keeping the leagues alive for the future.
The data for possible game operations remain the same.
The training of professional clubs should take place again from May 11, the start of the games from June 8 has not changed either. “But without a viewer,” said Amherd. It is difficult to say how it will continue. “That is why we did two stages if the ban on major events continued any longer.
Baspo Director: Super League cost structure very transparent
Another question is how controls would be ensured, for example, in Super League clubs. The league concludes the corresponding loan agreements with the clubs, explains Baspo director Remund. The cost structure is very transparent. And he emphasizes: Fortunately, no club has been ruined so far.
Amherd: Loan in two tranches
The objective of the security fund is that the operation can be maintained for a period of six months. “The first tranche must be paid in five years, the second in 10 years,” Amherd said of the loans.
Popular sports clubs must demonstrate damage
The clubs have to show that they have been damaged by the crown crisis, Amherd emphasizes when asked. It is not the intention simply to give money to all the clubs. Therefore, an association must demonstrate that its existence is threatened by the crisis.
“Loans should not make up for lost earnings”
How is the money distributed to the clubs? Who receives how much? “The loans are not intended to make up for lost earnings,” Amherd said. You can cover 25 percent of the budget with loans. The term of the loans is 5 years. No interest was due in 2021 and 2022. Beginning in 2023, the interest rate is at least 1 percent.
