Switzerland is closing. Image: KEYSTONE
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Emergency in Switzerland: these are the new measures of the Federal Council
The Federal Council further tightened measures to protect the population in an extraordinary meeting. He re-classified the situation in Switzerland as «Exceptional location» according to the Epidemic Act.
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The measures at a glance:
When does the emergency apply?
Starting today Monday at midnight until April 19, 2020.
Who has to close?
Today are from midnight public and private events forbidden.
As of now are closed:
- Stores (but not the grocery stores)
- Markets
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Museums
- Libraries
- Cinemas
- Concert and theater houses
- Sports centers
- Swimming pools
- Ski areas
- Businesses are also closed in which the distance cannot be maintained, such as hairdressing salons or cosmetic studios.
What is left open?
The supply of the entire population with food, medicines and everyday goods is ensured, there are enough inventoriesreports the Federal Council.
The following companies remain open:
- Grocery stores
- Take-aways
- Company canteens
- construction sites
- Meal delivery services
- Pharmacies
- Clinics and medical practices
- Gas stations
- Train stations
- Banks
- Post offices
- Hotels
- The public administration
- Social facilities
- playgrounds
Workshops for means of transport can also remain open. All of these facilities must comply with the recommendations of the Federal Office of Public Health Keep your distance and keep to hygiene. So this also applies to grocery stores.
Hospitals, clinics and medical practices remain open, but have to do without medical interventions and therapies that are not urgently indicated.
Who has to stay at home?
The Federal Council calls on the entire population to avoid all unnecessary contacts, to keep their distance and to follow the hygiene measures. In particular, he calls on the older population to stay at home.
Especially people at risk do their job at home. If this is not possible, the employer takes leave of absence. They continue to receive their wages.
What happens to the daycare centers?
For children who cannot be looked after privately, the cantons have to provide the necessary care. Day care centers may only be closed if there are other suitable childcare options. This measure initially applies until April 19, 2020 and now also applies to school closings.
What is the army doing?
The Federal Council has approved the use of up to 8,000 members of the army to support the cantons in hospitals, logistics and security. This applies until the end of June 2020.
The army is supposed to first support the healthcare system with medical services, in particular with care, patient monitoring, medical transport or hospital logistics (e.g. bed disinfection, kitchen, laundry, cleaning).
Secondly If necessary, the army should take on logistical tasks such as transport and help with the construction of improvised infrastructure.
Third should relieve the cantonal police corps in the security area, for example by providing more support for embassy protection, or to support the border guard corps at national borders and airports.
What is happening at the border?
The Federal Council decided to also control the borders with Germany, Austria and France from midnight and to introduce entry bans with exceptions. He already introduced Schengen border controls for travelers from Italy on Friday.
The Entry from the four large neighboring countries is only Swiss citizens, People with a Residence permit in Switzerland as well as people coming from professional reasons must travel to Switzerland. Transit and goods traffic are also allowed.
Finally, people are allowed to enter in a situation of absolute necessity.
Are other borders closed?
In order to implement these tasks in a targeted manner, smaller border crossings across Switzerland are closed and border traffic is channeled to larger border crossings. A list of these border crossings is published by the Federal Customs Administration.
What about public transport?
From Thursday, public transport by rail and road will be gradually reduced. Long-distance trains only run every hour instead of every half hour. Additional nightly connections on weekends are canceled. International long-distance trains still run to the border stations. In regional transport the clocks are loosened, half instead of quarter hourly or hourly instead of half hourly. The transport companies ask travelers to consult the online timetable and buy tickets electronically.
(meg)
