Large events possible from october

  26.08.2020 Local News

On 12 August 2020, the Federal Council decided to allow events with more than 1000 people to be held again from 1 October 2020. Strict protective measures apply and the cantons must approve the events.

Events with more than 1000 people have been prohibited in Switzerland since 28 February 2020. This ban – one of the key measures to reduce the number of coronavirus infections – is valid until 31 August and has now been extended by one month until the end of September. “This will give the cantons time to prepare the licensing regime and, if necessary, to increase their capacities for contact tracing,” writes the Federal Council.

Uniform authorisation requirements
The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) will be instructed to work out uniform approval requirements for major events together with the responsible departments and the cantons by 2 September. They should set the framework that will apply to all areas such as sport, culture or religion. The recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Science Task Force can be used in this context. An event will require a permit from the responsible canton. “The cantons can also refuse to issue the licence if their epidemiological situation and contact tracing capacities do not make the event possible,” the Federal Council states.

The cantons will have to consider their epidemiological situation and their capacities for contact tracing. With these measures the Federal Council wants to ensure that the situation in Switzerland does not deteriorate. At the same time, the cautious step towards opening up takes into account the social needs of the population and the economic pressure suffered by sports clubs and cultural institutions and enterprises.

Masks in aircrafts
The Federal Council has also decided that from 15 August a mask must be worn in aircrafts. The measure affects all scheduled and charter flights that take off or land in Switzerland, regardless of the airline. Masks have already been compulsory in public transport since 6 July.

BASED ON AVS/ANITA MOSER


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