The first superspreader case in Zurich, illegal techno rave in Bern: Hundreds of partygoers didn’t care about the Corona measures last weekend. The number of infections has been rising steadily for several days. At the beginning of last week, 18 Corona cases were registered, there were already 69 on Saturday and 62 on Sunday.
In view of the worrying development, the question arises: Do the authorities need to tighten the books – and tighten the measures again? Health Minister Alain Berset (48) meets representatives of the cantons for an afternoon talk, as reported by the “Tages-Anzeiger”. Representatives of the conference of the cantonal governments as well as health directors and cantonal doctors are invited to Bern. The meeting had been planned for some time. But after last weekend, it is now all the more urgent.
Little scandal
However, the crisis summit starts with a small scandal: Nobody from the conference of the cantonal governments (KdK) will take part. KdK General Secretary Roland Mayer confirms this to BLICK: «We only received the invitation on Friday and this without any further documents. No one was able to participate on such a short notice. And there is no point if, due to the lack of information from the federal government, it is not possible to discuss them internally beforehand. »
The meeting is primarily about the future exchange between the Confederation and the cantons, says Mayer. “After the Kristenstab was dissolved, a kind of successor organization must now be set up so that the situation can be regularly analyzed and coordinated,” says Mayer. “It is also important for us that the federal government returns to sensible and structured consultation processes.”
Nobody wants to prescribe a mask
But now there is a need for discussion and action due to the celebrating corona ignorants. At the meeting there will also be a requirement to wear a mask in public transport. Basel Health Director Lukas Engelberger (CVP), President of the Health Directors’ Conference, said to the “Tages-Anzeiger”: “I personally would like a national mask requirement for public transport.”
The statement shows that the cantons would like to shift responsibility to the federal government. However, when the exceptional situation is lifted in mid-June, the cantons can decide on measures themselves. The Confederation can make arrangements in consultation with the cantons, but Federal Councilor Berset has made it clear that it regards the cantons as compulsory when it comes to making masks mandatory in public transport.
KdK General Secretary Mayer is reluctant to answer this question: «There are different sensitivities in the cantons. However, there is always a discussion as to whether and when a mask requirement is necessary, »says Mayer. «With more than 1000 cases per day, there was no obligation to wear a mask. The question arises whether it is necessary in 60 cases. »
In general, he also states: «The cantons are again more responsible, but the starting point is different everywhere. The bottom line is that the situation is under control. »
Do returnees need to be quarantined?
The cities may also look at the cantons and the cantons at the federal government when it comes to the question of whether the clubs need to be closed again. Hoping that the other person will make the unpopular decision or at least make an urgent recommendation to which one could then refer.
Another topic at today’s meeting should also be possible entry restrictions for people from risk areas. According to the federal government, up to 20 percent of the infections are imported from abroad. Many infected people have returned from Serbia in the past few days. Measures are now under discussion, such as a quarantine recommendation or even arrangement for people who come from sensitive areas, or fever measurements at the border. A corresponding decision is a federal matter.
