Crowded trains, long lines in post offices and shops and crowds in restaurants: Especially in big cities, it can sometimes be difficult not to feel like sardines in a sardine can. But especially the current times demand to distance oneself. The time for the intimidated has now come, quipped a Twitter user. On Wednesday evening, the Federal Council supplemented the “How we protect ourselves” campaign run by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) with the recommendation to keep a “certain distance” from other people, in order to protect especially the most vulnerable – the old and the pre-stressed.
However, anyone commuting or working in the open-plan office knows that implementing these recommendations is extremely difficult. However, some companies have already implemented concrete measures. For example, Ems-Chemie around SVP politician Magdalena Martullo-Blocher. In the company’s cafeteria, only two people are allowed to sit per table, the “Blick” reported. The dining areas at the tables are marked in red to ensure a distance of 1.5 meters.
Red lines mark the dining areas in the cafeteria of Ems-Chemie. Photo: screenshot
The Swiss chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli has taken similar measures. Employees at the headquarters in Kilchberg are only allowed to take a staggered lunch break and only occupy every second seat in the cafeteria, a spokeswoman confirmed to «20 Minuten».
The recommendation of the Federal Council, on the other hand, caused plenty of ridicule on social networks. «In the times of # Covid_19, plan half a tram on a busy route. You can do that, dear @zvv, but it will be difficult with the safety distance, »writes a Twitter user. The Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) canal admitted to this: “On heavily frequented lines, keeping a distance is generally a challenge.” On request, a media spokeswoman for the Zurich Transport Authority (VBZ) says that at the moment there is no information about planned measures to keep the distance.
SBB recommends home office
It turns out that public transport will face huge challenges in the future when it comes to fighting pandemics. She is currently relying primarily on commuters’ initiative – and is waiting for further instructions. The lead lies with the BAG, explains SBB media spokesman Oli Dischoe. “If the BAG made recommendations or ordered measures, SBB would implement them promptly.”
How should commuters behave now? BAG media spokesman Daniel Dauwalder advises: “In public transport, as in all other places where there are many people and you cannot avoid it, we recommend our hygiene measures, primarily hand washing or disinfecting.” If you can, you should use public transport outside of peak hours.
SBB has already implemented measures within the company. For example, customer attendants no longer have to take the SwissPass of the passengers in their hands during the check. The company also recommends that its employees work in their home office if possible, says Dischoe. Trains to and from Italy are also disinfected daily by the SBB at the behest of the Italian authorities.
Banks split critical teams
Other public companies are now also faced with the corona problem. UBS has recently started using split operations. Teams that are critical for business operations are divided so that the entire team does not immediately fail in the event of an infection. This measure would already be implemented in offices in the Pacific region, explains a UBS media spokesman on request. This is also planned in Switzerland.
The concept of split operations is already being implemented at Credit Suisse, says media spokesman Ronnie Y. Petermann. The big bank has also increased the cleanliness and hygiene regulations at its locations.
Cleaning measures intensified
The McDonald’s fast food chain also pays attention to safety and hygiene, according to the Swiss media office. The cleaning measures were intensified again. “For the guests, we set up dispensers next to the order kiosks so that they can disinfect their hands. We also use the BAG campaign to communicate the protective measures to our guests in the restaurants. » Since McDonald’s is a fast service restaurant, the encounters were generally rather short. “There are no queues in the restaurants due to the new order kiosks,” assures the media office.
Migros also recognizes that the situation is serious. Marcel Schlatter, media spokesman for the Migros Cooperative Association, confirms: “We take the spread of the corona virus very seriously and have been making intensive arrangements for various eventualities in the Migros crisis team for four weeks.” However, the measures to be taken are only discussed when they actually have to be implemented.
Just like Migros, competitor Coop also emphasizes adhering to the official recommendations of the authorities and informing and instructing employees. However, Coop does not disclose specific measures for social distancing.
Post has activated crisis management team
The virus is also an issue at Swiss Post. The state-owned company counts millions of customers every year. Anyone who dares to go to a post office after work knows how tight it can be for a long time. Post media spokesman Oliver Flüeler says: “We can understand the concerns and take them seriously.” The company has therefore activated the pandemic board and, as a precaution, the crisis team. Compliance with the BAG requirements is the responsibility of the employees, says Flüeler. Internal events with larger groups of people have been canceled. Swiss Post also ordered large quantities of disinfectant gel for its employees. “This is particularly important for employees who are on the way for delivery or in the post bus,” explains Flüeler.
The survey of various companies in Switzerland shows that, at least according to their own statements, they take the situation seriously and comply with the requirements of the BAG. In addition, there is strong trust in the personal responsibility of employees and customers. It remains to be seen whether this is sufficient to contain Sars-CoV-2. Economically, however, the virus has already caused damage in many industries.
Created: 03/06/2020, 12:38 PM
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