Times of crisis are times of government: Just like in the Corona crisis, the Federal Council is in charge. However, the government cannot simply announce such emergencies. The basis is the constitution and the epidemic law. This provides for three levels: the “normal”, the “special” and the “extraordinary situation”.
In the «Normal location» the cantons are responsible for preventing and combating communicable diseases. The Confederation can only provide information and recommendations and order measures at the borders.
In a «Special location» the Federal Council can order certain measures itself, but must first consult the cantons. A “special situation” exists when there is an increased risk of infection and spread or a particular risk to public health. And when the cantons themselves are no longer able to take appropriate measures. The Federal Council announced the special situation on February 28.
The state government already had that on March 13 «Exceptional location» called out. From then on, the Federal Council was able to resort to emergency law, and the cantons no longer had a say. A precondition for the declaration of the “extraordinary situation” is that Switzerland’s internal or external security is endangered.
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