- The Federal Council lacks reliable information on the central question of the threat of exposure to intensive care units from Omikron patients.
- Therefore, for the time being, he is not taking any further measures.
- However, a package of measures has been prepared if new information about the Omikron variant is available or the situation in the hospitals deteriorates significantly.
The Federal Council discussed the current corona situation at an extraordinary conference call. Although the number of infections has risen sharply in the past few days, the state government has decided not to take any additional measures.
The current message from the Federal Council corresponds pretty much to what Health Minister Alain Berset announced on Twitter on Wednesday: The situation in the hospitals is worrying and the development in the next few days is uncertain. But it is still too early to tighten the corona measures.
There are signs that infections with the Omikron variant were milder and that the booster vaccination protects against a severe course, the Federal Council continues. In addition, the effects of the tightening measures decided on December 17 could not be assessed precisely enough.
Measures “when they are unavoidable”
The state government also makes it clear that further measures will only be taken “when they are unavoidable”. In coping with the pandemic, health, economic and social aspects must always be weighed up.
Although various epidemiologists and virologists had called for stricter measures in view of the increasing corona numbers, the Federal Council is sticking to a wait and see position.
But he leaves a back door open: Should the situation worsen, the Federal Council could quickly implement a package of measures that would also include the closure of localities and businesses.
The Federal Council called on the cantons to continue to give as much gas as possible with initial and booster vaccinations in order to protect as many people as possible from serious illness and thus the hospitals from overload. He reminded the population to reduce their contacts, wear masks, follow hygiene rules and ventilate indoor spaces regularly.
The last tightened corona measures have been in force since December 20. The 2G rule (vaccinated or recovered), in some cases the 2Gplus rule (vaccinated or recovered plus corona-negative test) for discos, indoor swimming pools, bars, brass music rehearsals or indoor sports apply to all indoor spaces in the cultural, leisure and sports sectors.