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For two weeks, there has been a partial lockdown in Basel-Stadt. Restaurants, gyms, indoor pools and other leisure facilities have been closed since November 23. With the measurements, the crown numbers decreased in parallel with the development in Switzerland as a whole. However, the numbers stagnate at a high level, as reported by “bz”: the value of R is 0.97.
This week, the Basel government should decide whether it wants to continue the partial lockdown: originally, the measures were scheduled for three weeks. Restaurants and businesses now demand security in planning. The decision on a possible extension of the measures could already be taken at today’s government meeting.
Elevated numbers in the environment and industry pressure
The decision could also rest with other cantons: for example, the Basel area is under pressure to take stricter measures. Health Minister Alain Berset had spoken to the conscience of the Basel government during his visit last week. Given that Basel’s health director Lukas Engelberger is currently the head of cantonal health directors, it is unlikely that the crown’s measures in the city’s canton will be relaxed in view of the high numbers in the area.
On the other hand, there are pressures from trade: “The damage caused by the measures and their influence on the number of infections is disproportionate,” criticizes the commercial director of Basel, Gabriel Barell. November and December are important months for the retail, catering and hotel industries, he told the newspaper. “Each additional day increases the risk of bankruptcy.” As a relief, he asked for rental assistance.
