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Valais and Freiburg make use of the exemption
In the afternoon, the Federal Council decided on new measures. Cantons with a favorable epidemiological development can, however, extend the opening hours of bars and restaurants, shops and cultural, leisure and sports facilities. To do this, they must have a reproduction rate of less than 1 for at least seven days and an incidence of seven days that is less than the Swiss average.
As of December 14, 2020, restaurants will be open until 10 p.m. From the same date, cultural, sports, entertainment and leisure facilities may also be open beyond the hours established by the federal government and the Sundays, unless otherwise specified.
The Canton of Friborg also welcomes the Federal Council’s decision that “the position of the cantons of western Switzerland has been taken into account and different measures can be taken depending on the local situation.”
Nearly 1% positive results in southern Grisons
4249 people were tested on Friday in area tests in the south of Graubünden. 38 of them, or just under 1 percent, tested positive on the first day. So far, 11,325 registrations have been received for the first area tests in Switzerland.
The first day of the test went smoothly, Grisons authorities announced on Friday. There were occasional delays in the transmission of test results. The tests were carried out on Friday in 9 of the 19 municipalities in southern Grisons. 60 doctors are involved in the tests in the area, which will last until Sunday.
Lucerne goes beyond the Federal Council
For the Lucerne governing council, the anti-corona pandemic measures ordered by the Federal Council on Friday do not go far enough. Given the high number of cases in the canton, it has decided to take additional measures, as announced by the State Chancellery., Link opens in a new window.
The adjustment would take effect on Saturday at 7 p.m. and will initially apply until January 22, according to the announcement. Sports and leisure facilities, public transport or the home office are particularly affected. There are also adjustments in the concepts of protection of schools.
St. Gallen Restaurateurs Demonstration
The Canton of St. Gallen gastronomic association called a demonstration in downtown St. Gallen on Friday afternoon. The association writes that it will make it impossible for the industry to function economically. Many face the end.
However, what is required is not relaxed measures from the crown, but financial support: “We call on decision makers to finally take up their true responsibility and grant us an immediate financial support package,” the message says. This support should take the form of À-fonds-perdu contributions, so demand.
Zurich’s bars and clubs want to shut down completely
The Zurich Lawyers and Clubs Commission, a spokesman for the industry in the city, also criticized the early curfew. The bars would be deprived of any economic base.
Why the federal government is not consistent and closes bar operations is a mystery, closing it would not only be the best of all solutions due to the epidemiological situation, but it would also facilitate economic security in the current situation.
They argue that there is only one hardship case in the event of an officially ordered shutdown. Only then could negotiations take place with landlords about a rent reduction or insurance coverage.
Legend:
The Lawyers and Clubs Commission criticizes the fact that a political power struggle is taking place behind the backs of the companies.
Keystone
Gastrosuisse outraged by the measures
The Federal Council is suffocating the restaurant industry with its latest decisions. The closing time at 7 pm is equivalent to a general closure and is a “death in installments” for many companies, President Casimir Platzer told the media on Friday.
The Federal Council in no way appreciates the great efforts made by the industry to ensure safe operation, Platzer said. The procedure is fortuitous and implausible. In view of the last minimum, Gastrosuisse demanded immediate financial compensation.
Not even half of the cantons have taken steps to make emergency fund payments. Many say the first payments could be made by the end of February at the earliest. So far, 30,000 jobs have been lost in the restaurant industry. “Today the situation has dramatically worsened,” Berner said.
End of the press conference
The spokesman for the Federal Council, André Simonazzi, ended today’s press conference after 1.5 hours. Thank you for your interest and we will keep you posted with reactions, background and reviews here on the live ticker and on SRF News.
What About Additional Low Income Compensation?
Unions are calling for it vehemently: if you have a low income, you urgently need to complete your financial aid, only with short-term job replacements, many simply would not have enough to live on.
The Finance Minister agrees: “In a situation like this, we have to see that the weakest do not get lost.” That is why it makes sense for Parliament to re-examine this.
Cinemas: closed or open?
Cinemas are considered cultural and leisure institutions and therefore must close at 7pm and on Sundays. But movie screenings are also considered a public event; that’s why movie screenings are no longer possible, the federal government answers this question.
Are meetings from restaurants that closed at 7 pm moving to private settings?
Simonetta Sommaruga responds that in those cantons that have already had experience with the closure of restaurants, there has not been such a change to the private sphere. An attempt has also been made to find a suitable solution for the Christmas season. The recommendation that only two different households are found still applies.
Maurer: “Mountain of Debt Safe as Snow”
A reporter asks how often you can still talk about financial aid money.
The expenses are already too high, says Ueli Maurer. Now you have to go into debt. “Then you could hold the Olympics on the mountain of debt at least once.” The finance minister adds that the mountain is so high that there will surely be snow there.
Debt reduction should take place without tax increases; it still has this goal, says Ueli Maurer. The amount of the debt will only be known in two or three months. According to today’s estimate, the amount of the debt will be between 25 and 30 billion Swiss francs, but it is still too early to make a final estimate.
What does the next level of climbing look like?
The next level of escalation, that is, the next tightening, could well come next week, as the Federal Council announced today. But the Federal Council is still covered on the content. It is still unknown what the Federal Council will propose to the cantons. “The mechanism has yet to be discussed,” says Berset.
Are the agreements between cantons not complicated?
“The cantons have an interest in making arrangements. That has worked very well recently in western Switzerland, ”says Berset. But it is a request of the Federal Council to the cantons to agree if they want to make use of the exemption (curfew extended), not an obligation.
Simonetta Sommaruga: How to deal with a situation that is getting worse?
The Federal Council wants to talk about the measures again next week, if that is a threat, asks a journalist.
There is a risk that the situation will become even more difficult in certain cantons and regions. Therefore, the Federal Council wants to determine how to proceed in such a situation, replies Simonetta Sommaruga. Basically, it will have to be discussed with the cantons.
Curfew extension as an option for cantons
To what extent can the cantons shorten the curfew? Cantons have to get approval from the federal government, asks a journalist.
This is a possibility for the canton, it does not have to do this and it does not have to be approved by the federal government, says federal president Simonetta Sommaruga. Cantons should also consult with surrounding regions, added the federal president.
According to the ordinance, the cantons with a favorable epidemiological development can extend the curfew until 11 at night. The prerequisite for this is that the reproduction value is less than 1 for at least 7 days and the incidence of 7 days for at least 7 days is below the Swiss average. In addition, the canton must have sufficient capacities for contact tracing and health care. If a canton wants to extend its opening hours, it must coordinate with neighboring cantons.
Didn’t you know before that winter would be bad?
It was already assumed that it would be more difficult in winter, Berset said. The situation was always closely monitored. “When he became critical two weeks ago, we acted immediately,” Berset said. So you reacted constantly. In consultation with the cantons. This is also due to the preparation in summer.
Are there general solutions to the difficulties?
A reporter asks if it is reasonable for each restaurant to file a hardship claim.
It will be checked if there is an industrial solution for restaurants. Several cantons have already considered solutions for the industry. Checking every single app is probably not a solution, says Ueli Maurer.
Will the federal government outnumber the cantons?
A large majority of cantons do not agree with the federal approach, according to today’s press release. How is that going with the measures now decided by the Federal Council? Asks a journalist.
The Federal Council is responsible for the whole of Switzerland, says Alain Berset. The situation is extremely delicate, we must take care of the country. Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga added that the exemption could also be adapted to some cantons. But if the trend in the number of cases goes in the other direction, the Federal Council will intervene more. With its measures, the Federal Council continues to allow a certain life: this is where the cantons stay. In discussions with the cantons it became clear that the cantons were in favor of a uniform line.
Currently, the cantons of western Switzerland can make use of an exception
The first question from the group of journalists: Which cantons can currently use the exception for a better situation?
These are cantons with an R value less than one for seven days, explains Berset. This currently applies to all cantons in western Switzerland. So that it can extend the curfew until 11 pm However, Berset warns: “The situation can change very quickly.”
Ueli Maurer: “With the expansion of the measures, additional financial aid is needed”
Of the additional 1.5 billion, 750 million Swiss francs will be paid jointly by the federal government and the cantons, with the cantons contributing 33%. 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 should give the Federal Council the opportunity to provide specific support to the cantons that are particularly affected by the measures to contain Covid-19.
Finance Minister Maurer explains that the proposed economic measures now have to go to parliament during the current session because the provisions of the Covid-19 law must be changed.
