Danny Schlumpf and Camilla Alabor
The Federal Council relies on 2G. Restaurants, cinemas, fitness centers and museums are only allowed to visit vaccinated and convalescent people. And only if you wear a mask.
Too hard? Definitely not, thinks a large majority of Swiss people. This is shown by a representative survey by the Link Institute on behalf of SonntagsBlick. Two thirds of 1000 people surveyed say 2G is good.
Certificate plus test: Now 2G + and home office are compulsory(04:51)
Mood changes
Three out of five respondents even agree to combine this rule with a mask requirement indoors. This makes it clear: the mood has turned. In the last SonntagsBlick survey at the end of November, half of the Swiss were against stricter measures. Today it’s only a third.
The seniors are the most rigorous: 81 percent of 60 to 79 year olds think 2G is right. This age group has the least understanding for those who have not been vaccinated: 62 percent of them want general compulsory vaccination.
However, approval of mandatory vaccinations is surprisingly high among the general population: half of those questioned are in favor. Two thirds of the elderly also demand a lockdown for the unvaccinated. In all of the respondents, this idea was approved by every second person.
Ticino residents in particular are in favor of stricter measures
The people of Ticino are also in favor of decisive action: 77 percent are for 2G, 67 percent for 2G with a mask requirement. They are thus well above the national average, which may be explained by the high level of concern in their cantons, especially in the first wave. Consistently, a general vaccination requirement is met with broad approval: Italian-speaking Switzerland is in favor with 68 percent. Three out of five Ticino residents would also welcome a lockdown for unvaccinated people.
Generally speaking, understanding for the unvaccinated is declining across the country. Their exclusion from public life is primarily intended to prevent closings, which Alain Berset warned on Friday: “The alternative would be brutal measures after Christmas.” And the Swiss don’t let themselves joke: 80 percent reject a general lockdown – despite the threat of an omicron wave.
Back to the home office obligation
This should now be broken with other measures as far as possible: In addition to free tests and restrictions on private meetings, the Federal Council has also mandated home office work. Not all employers like this – but 60 percent of the Swiss are in favor.
Health Minister Berset has apparently aimed too deeply on one point: He abandoned the plan to make mass tests in schools mandatory. A clear majority of the Swiss are convinced of their benefits: 72 percent are in favor of mass tests.
“We try to do only what is absolutely necessary,” said Berset on Friday. “And hope that it will be enough.” Nobody can say whether the plan will work out. But one thing is clear: With this motto, the Federal Council is following the line of the majority of the population.
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