Protective measures remain

  02.09.2021 Local News

Currently, almost half of the Swiss population is fully vaccinated. Since 11 July 2021, however, the curve of first-time vaccinations has hardly increased, while the cantons have sufficient vaccination capacities. The Federal Council assumes that all the people willing to be vaccinated have been vaccinated. In accordance with its three-phase model (protection, stabilisation, normalisation), it has decided to initiate the normalisation phase.

Reassessment of measures
Due to the uncertain epidemiological situation (negative dynamics, holiday returnees, delta variant) and because an overload of hospital structures cannot be ruled out, the “limited and well-accepted measures” will be maintained, as the Federal Council writes. It will reassess the situation at its meeting on 1 September 2021 and, if necessary, adapt the measures.

Protection of hospital structures
For the Federal Council, the protection of hospital structures has priority, and no longer the protection of the non-vaccinated population. “There will only be new measures if hospital capacities are at risk,” it says. In this phase of pandemic control, vaccinated and recovered people should no longer be restricted in their social and economic activities.

Personal responsibility
The Federal Council is placing greater emphasis on personal responsibility. “Since everyone in Switzerland will be confronted with Covid-19 sooner or later, the Federal Council assumes that an increase in infections, hospitalisations and deaths cannot be avoided.” For the population, the vaccination remains the most effective means of protecting themselves against a Covid-19 infection and serious complications. The Federal Council is therefore calling on people who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Testing strategy
According to the media release, testing remains an important measure to control the pandemic. However, the Federal Council proposes that from 1 October 2021, neither tests for people without symptoms (testing for personal reasons) nor the five home tests per month for unvaccinated and recovering people will be state financed. Exceptions apply for children up to 12 years of age and people who cannot be vaccinated.

This means that from 1 October 2021, non-vaccinated and non-recovered people who want to participate in an event requiring a certificate will have to pay for the test themselves or get their jab in the meantime.

BASED ON AVS/ANITA MOSER


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