The cantons of eastern Switzerland are right to stand up to the federal government when it comes to the obligation to wear a mask

Some cantons and the Federal Office of Public Health are pushing for a national solution to mask requirements. The cantons of Eastern Switzerland are against this. The case numbers prove them right.

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No mask requirement in schools and shops. The cantons of St.Gallen in eastern Switzerland and both Appenzell are for the time being waiving the tightening of the corona regulations. It is highly likely that Thurgau will follow this line on Wednesday.

The governments of the cantons of Eastern Switzerland are showing the cold shoulder to the Federal Office of Public Health, which recommends masks over large areas.

The attitude of the cantons in eastern Switzerland is correct. There is no reason to be nervous at the current stage.

The number of cases increases slightly in this country too. But the starting level is deep.

In many areas, such as Inner Rhodes, there are no diseases. Our part of the country is simply not a hotspot for the unpredictable virus – luckily.

The Federal Council rightly passed responsibility to the cantons before the summer holidays. They know the local situation best and can take the measures that are most useful locally. Just because clubs and bars have to close in Geneva does not mean that the Innerrhoder or Rheintaler hosts should also enforce the mask requirement in their restaurants.

Anyone who now complains about the “patchwork” of cantonal regulations has not understood the meaning of federalism. This patchwork is politically wanted and epidemiologically justified. And, contrary to the shrill campaign of the national boulevard, there is no understandable logic that would amount to standardizing cantonal regulations.

It was right to prescribe a national mask requirement in public transport. Trains have no cantonal borders. However, the cantons should decide for themselves what applies to pubs, bars and schools. The Federal Council will meet on August 12 for the first meeting after the summer vacation. The committee has no reason to play the federal bailiff again. Responsibility lies with the cantons. And they drive a pragmatic and sensible course, especially here in the east.