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Before the Federal Council meeting – Ueli Maurer: “Indicates that we are rethinking the quarantine period” – News

10 January 20220

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Ueli Maurer also supports an examination of the applicable rule. The entire Federal Council decides on Wednesday.

The Omikron wave challenges the Swiss economy. According to calculations, more than 100,000 people are likely to be in isolation or quarantine – and some of them are absent from their workplace. Business associations, specialists and health directors are therefore calling for the quarantine period to be shortened to five days.

Reduction worth examining for bricklayers

The Federal Council could decide on such an adjustment at its meeting on Wednesday. In the “Eco Talk”, finance minister Ueli Maurer advocates considering a cut: “It is actually appropriate that we reconsider the quarantine period.” Because there was a relatively large lack of people in the economy. For small companies in particular, it is difficult when the most important employees are absent. There would also be delivery bottlenecks or delays. “Ultimately, that can also fuel inflation, which is a bit of a bogeyman for the economy in general,” said Maurer. In this context, a shortening of the quarantine period is certainly “an important point of discussion”.

We have high numbers of infections, but things remain quiet in the hospitals.

However, Maurer rejects the closure of businesses – for example in the catering or sports sector. Such a measure is not indicated. “We have high numbers of infections, but the hospitals remain quiet.” But of course there are companies that have trouble, for example because of a lack of customers. In this context, Maurer refers to the hardship ordinance, the amendment of which is currently being discussed.

According to the current draft ordinance, entitlement to financial aid is to be simplified, reported the “NZZ am Sonntag”. In the future, companies could apply for hardship payments for uncovered fixed costs. Previously, closings or sales losses of over 40 percent were required. But: Companies that want to apply for financial support have to document their failures and prove that they have taken «self-help measures». “This is a very fair and generous regulation,” says Finance Minister Maurer in “Eco Talk”. Gastrosuisse President Casimir Platzer warns of a “bureaucracy monster” in the “NZZ am Sonntag”.

Maurer has been a member of the Federal Council since January 1, 2009. The SVP politician was head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) until 2016. He has been Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) since 2016. After 2013, 2019 was the 68-year-old’s second year in office as Federal President. Maurer was President of SVP Switzerland from 1996 to 2008. From 1991 until his election to the Federal Council, he was a member of the National Council.

The interview was conducted by Reto Lipp.