Public transport travelers will have to wear a mask all over Switzerland as of Monday, the Federal Council decided on Wednesday. Travelers from countries deemed at risk will have to quarantine for ten days.
The Federal Council ended the extraordinary situation ten days ago, recalled to the press the President of the Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga. But the coronavirus has not disappeared.
The past few days have shown that infections can develop quickly, in a club or after returning from vacation. We must find a new balance: “do not overreact, but also do not wait with folded arms.” The government has therefore decided to strengthen prevention.
From 12 years old
As of Monday, people aged 12 and over must wear a mask on trains, trams and buses, as well as on ski lifts, cable cars and boats. “The mask protects the wearer and other travelers,” said Ms. Sommaruga.
It would be absurd to make it compulsory in some cantons and not in others. The government, however, is not aware of any transport infections, the president conceded.
Since the relaxation of the containment measures, the use of public transport has taken the elevator and it is often difficult to respect the prescribed distance. Contact tracing would not be possible.
Recommended by experts
Wearing a mask is already strongly recommended during peak hours, but this prescription is hardly followed. The Federal Council’s decision was recommended by specialists. The World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control also recommend that the mask be worn when the required distance cannot be maintained.
Several cantons lobbied. The governments of Geneva, Ticino and Bern plancked this Wednesday on an obligation of mask in transport for their territory.
No fines are expected, said Sommaruga. Anyone who refuses to wear the mask must leave the means of transport at the next stop. Neither the SBB nor the postbuses have plans to reinforce their staff to ensure compliance with the new rules.
Quarantine
Since mid-June, the new coronavirus has experienced an upsurge in Switzerland after the arrival of infected people from abroad. As of Monday, anyone crossing the border from certain regions will have to quarantine for ten days.
The Federal Office of Public Health will keep a list of the regions in question, which it will update regularly. Sweden will no doubt figure there. Perhaps Serbia too, quoted Minister of Health Alain Berset. The list will be published by Monday. However, it will not be updated every day, only once a month, said Sommaruga to reassure the Swiss on the eve of the holidays.
The persons concerned will be informed in a targeted manner on planes, coaches and at borders. Once in Switzerland, they will have to register with the cantonal authorities. Aviation and coach companies must also refuse to take sick travelers on board.
No entries from Serbia
Switzerland will follow if not almost all the recommendations of the Council of the EU to lift entry restrictions concerning a series of countries from this Wednesday. But only from July 20, and not for Serbia, the government decided again.
Algeria, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland and Romania will be removed from the list of countries at risk. China also if reciprocity is guaranteed for people from Switzerland.
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