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It was an urgent appeal like in spring: “Now we need all of Switzerland,” said Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga, pledging the country to the new rules of the crown. After much hesitation, the Federal Council has definitely taken control of the stick again. And the blessing of the house between the Confederacy and the cantons also appears to have been restored after a power dispute. The cantonal health directors conference welcomed the tightening of national measures as “inevitable.” The rules go into effect on Tuesday and apply until at least January 22.
The Federal Council answered “Yes” to the question that has worried the entire country in recent days: restaurants will be temporarily closed. So far they have been allowed to entertain guests at least until 7 p.m. 13 questions and answers about the new crown rules:
1. What businesses should close besides restaurants?
Sports and wellness establishments. This means that gyms, artificial ice rinks, and swimming pools are closed. Not all individual and group workouts are allowed in the corresponding indoor areas. There are exceptions for equestrian sports and ski areas. Children and young people up to 16 years old can use sports facilities such as ice rinks or skating rinks. Cultural, leisure and entertainment establishments also have to close. Visiting museums, galleries, zoos, libraries, casinos and the like is a victim of the federal fight against the virus.
2. Is it true that stores are closed for three days at Christmas?
Yes. December 25 and 26 are holidays and December 27 is Sunday. According to the ordinance, all stores must remain closed. Pharmacies and, of course, sanitary facilities remain open. Car rental is also still possible.
3. Is there no crowd in the stores?
The stores themselves will not be overcrowded – the Federal Council has tightened capacity limits, so fewer people can be in stores at the same time. It might look different in front of stores: Michael Gerber of the Federal Office of Public Health said you couldn’t avoid the lines. Upon request, retailer Coop announced that it would open its supermarkets whenever possible from 7 a.m. on Monday so that customers were better distributed throughout the day. Coop and Migros recommend using less frequented times for shopping and shopping at the beginning of the week during Christmas week.
4. Are the bakeries open on Sundays and holidays?
Yes. It will be possible to stock up on fresh croissants during the festive season. Bakeries can stay open as long as they generate two-thirds of their sales from baked goods and confectionery. Associated cafes and tea rooms are closed. But beware: the rule does not come into effect until December 22, it does not apply this Sunday. According to the “Tages-Anzeiger”, the rule for bakeries could be called “Lex Köppel”. The SVP National Council in Zurich complained in a tweet that the Federal Council still prohibited bakeries from selling on Sundays last week: “They don’t even treat us to a nice family breakfast with fresh bread.”
The Federal Council closes bakeries on Sunday. Ridiculous. A cheek. They don’t even invite us to a good family breakfast with fresh bread.
– Roger Köppel (@KoeppelRoger) December 11, 2020
5. What about kiosks, farms, and gas stations?
You stay the 25/26. Closed December, January 1 and Sundays. If you want to buy eggs, meat and vegetables from the farm shop, you must do so during the week, even if it is self-service. Shops at airports and train stations are also closed on Sundays. Gas stations can only sell fuel on Sundays and holidays and between 7 pm and 6 am It is not possible to get essentials at the gas station store quickly on Sunday.
6. What other sports can you do?
Ski unless the cantons close the ski lifts. Individual outdoor sports such as jogging, cross-country skiing or cycling are still allowed. Group training with non-physical sports with a maximum of five people outdoors is also allowed. If the required distance cannot be maintained, a mask should be worn. Hotel fitness rooms can be used as long as they are only accessible to hotel guests.
7. Do hotel restaurants and take-out also have to close?
No. Restaurants and bars that only serve hotel guests can continue to do so under strict rules. Only four people can sit at a table. This rule does not apply to parents with children. Take-out stalls and delivery services may still offer meals. Staff can also eat in the company canteens. The compulsory school canteens are open to teachers, students and school employees.
8. The Federal Council recommends again: “Stay at home.” What does that mean for Christmas?
The Federal Council put the “urgent recommendation” to stay at home something in perspective in front of the media. The motto is quite simple, said Federal Councilor Alain Berset: “Reduce contacts where possible, but don’t stop them altogether.” Therefore, the Federal Council does not advise against Christmas holidays in the extended family circle. However, it also applies that a maximum of ten people can meet privately. The federal government also recommends limiting gatherings and celebrations to two households.
This year’s Christmas dinner should be done on a small scale.
© Getty Images
9. How can Christmas be celebrated in church?
Under federal requirements, a maximum of 50 people have been allowed to attend a service since late October. This also applies to large churches. There is no exception to this rule for Christmas. Singing together is forbidden in church. However, “Silent Night” can be played in the family circle.
10. Why is the Federal Council taking these measures?
Since the beginning of December, the number of infections has not decreased, but has increased, and already at a high level, as noted by Federal Councilor Alain Berset. Switzerland has three times more cases than Spain to 100,000 people. “Hospitals have been practically full for weeks, staff have been overloaded for months,” Berset said. The Federal Council explains that shops remain open but restaurants close, based on the experience of western Switzerland: the latter was able to significantly reduce the number of cases with restaurant closures. Geneva also closed stores, which, according to Berset, didn’t make much of a difference.
11. Will we see a greater adjustment?
That depends on further development. If the situation does not improve noticeably, there will be new measures at the beginning of the year, Sommaruga announced. The Federal Council has scheduled two additional meetings: on December 30, it will conduct a midterm evaluation and take stock at the beginning of the year. However, it dispenses with a traffic light system with escalation levels that would define when the tightening would come into force. It is foreseeable what additional measures the Federal Council could take: in particular, stores that do not sell food, such as closing in spring, could be closed.
12. Are there exceptions for some cantons?
Yes, but not for much longer. Cantons with a good epidemiological situation can open restaurants, museums, gyms, and other businesses. Restaurants can stay open until 11 pm, on New Year’s Eve, even until 1 am The prerequisite is that the number of cases is lower than the Swiss average and the number of infections decreases, that is, the number of views is less than 1. As of January 5, these criteria will be adjusted again. So far western Switzerland and Obwalden have met these conditions. However, Berset indicated that this would not be the case for much longer.
13. Do affected restaurants and other businesses receive compensation?
The Federal Council did not present a new aid package yesterday, it only made some adjustments to the existing instruments. He increased the compassionate use program last week to 2.5 billion Swiss francs. More financial support possible: the Federal Council wants to examine another aid package together with the cantons, announced Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga. Key figures are expected in January. The Gastrosuisse industry association criticized the decision: “For many, aid will come too late.”
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