Compulsory face masks in the village centres of Gstaad and Saanen and a drive-in testing facility in Schönried: These measures by the local authorities complement the protection concepts of the Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (ski lifts), the individual businesses and public transport in order to slow down the spread of the virus.

As a winter sports resort, the municipality of Saanen is required to have a protection concept ready. To this end, the municipal council commissioned the regional management body RFO, which met on 10 December to analyse the mandate from the federal government and the canton, to define the measures to be taken.

Avoiding contagion
The main goal is to slow down the rate of infections. People are required to avoid crowds, maintain distances and wear masks. Another important element is the increase of the testing capacity in the region. Finally, everyone must be clear about what to do in the event of a positive test result.

Everyone bears responsibility
Disciplined behavior that respects the current rules and regulation is key in this situation. Only if all the regulations and recommendations are followed responsibly by everybody can they be of any use. Every business is responsible for their own protective measures. All hotels, restaurants, shops, cultural and sports facilities, as well as transport companies such as, post buses, taxis and the ski lifts have already implemented measures and have continuously adapted them to meet the federal and cantonal requirements. Measures implemented by the municipality in other public areas, such as the compulsory masks in the village centres, are more recent.

Compulsory masks in Saanen and Gstaad
In Saanen masks are compulsory on Dorfstrasse between the junctions with Bahnhofstrasse and Oberdorfstrasse. In Gstaad this applies on the extended Promenade between the Coop car park and the Lauenenbach bridge, including Bahnhofstrasse. Posters in these zones indicate the areas where masks are compulsory.

The town centres of Schönried and Saanenmöser have no obligation to wear a mask as long as the general rules of distance can be observed. The population and guests are called upon to concentrate their purchases and, if possible, to do them outside the rush hours. In addition, many businesses offer takeaway or home delivery services.

Masks from car park to mountain station
The operation of ski lifts is dependent on a cantonal permit. The ski lift operators BDG and Wasserngrat 2000 AG have made great efforts to take precautions. In consultation with them, it has been decided that masks should not only be worn from the valley station onwards, but already from the car park to the valley station if the distances cannot be maintained.

Drive-in testing facility Schönried
In anticipation of the numerous guests over the festive season, the RFO Saanen asked Spital STS AG for an extension of the testing capacities. The capacity in the hospital Zweisimmen is limited and the way to Thun to the drive-in facility is too long. Therefore, under the management of the STS AG rescue service, a drive-in testing facility is in operation on the Rellerli car park in Schönried. It is open for people from the entire Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district. People who come by car or on foot will be tested. Samples will be taken for PCR laboratory tests, for which online registration and reservation of an appointment are mandatory. People with positive test results must comply with the instructions of the Cantonal Medical Office. Holidaymakers should return home as soon as possible or contact their accommodation provider. For transport, please refer to specialised companies.

Additional winter parking spaces
Due to the expected high volume of traffic, the municipality looked for alternative possibilities. It was possible to obtain the consent of the landowners for an emergency parking space during the winter months for the following properties: Dälweid Saanenmöser, Schützenkreisel Gstaad, Ebnitmatte Gstaad and Mätteli Saanen. These areas are only open when the weather is sufficiently cold. They are signalled and supervised as needed by traffic cadets and employees of a security company. Parking is free of charge; a night parking ban applies between 6pm and 8am. The signs on site are binding.

Information and assistance
The regulations and recommendations for correct behaviour are constantly changing, which means that we all have to keep ourselves in-Photograph: Markus Iseli formed. The municipality and Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus are supplementing the federal campaign with a trilingual flyer with the most important rules of conduct for each sector and a poster. Please always pay attention to the signage on site. A general overview can be found on the Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus website. We thank you for your assistance and wish you a peaceful holiday season despite all the restrictions.

BASED ON RFO SAANEN

Current overview: www.gstaad.ch/ aktuell/news/coronavirus

DRIVE-IN TESTING FACILITY SCHÖNRIED

The drive-in testing facility is located on the Rellerli car park on Hubelstrasse in Schönried.
Operating hours: 24 December 2020 to 10 January 2021
Workdays: 9am – 7pm
Public holidays: 11am – 3pm
Registration mandatory:
covid.spitalstsag.ch
Bring along: Confirmation of appointment and official ID