The time has come as early as Monday: Because the situation in the intensive care units is extremely tense, the corona certificate requirement will be expanded. If you want to go to a restaurant, fitness center, cinema or museum, you have to prove that you have been vaccinated, recovered or tested. The Federal Council decided on Wednesday.
Switzerland is thus a latecomer. Some of our neighbors have known the measure for weeks – and the majority of them have had positive experiences with it. That could also have convinced Federal Councilor Alain Berset (49).
At the beginning of the week, the health minister exchanged views with his Italian and French counterparts at the G-20 health summit in Rome, reports the “Tages-Anzeiger”. Since the Corona passport has been mandatory for pickling and co., The vaccination rates have increased. The number of cases is clearly developing better than in Switzerland.
In France, for example, 62.1 percent of the population are now fully vaccinated, in Italy 62.6 percent. In Switzerland, the vaccination rate is currently 52.4 percent.
Example France
Not much is possible in France without the passport sanitaire. In many places there has been no access since August – this applies not only to restaurants or old people’s homes, but even to shopping centers or long-distance transport connections.
France has tightened the Corona screw even more: In mid-July, President Emmanuel Macron (43) announced in a televised address that the vaccination would be mandatory for hospital staff from mid-September. Those who refuse are released and no longer receive any wages. The announcement had an effect: 926,000 vaccination appointments were booked on the Internet on the same evening. Absolute record!
Example Italy
The name is different, the principle is the same: In Italy the Corona certificate is called the Green Pass and has been necessary since August 6th to get to the restaurant or museum. On September 1st, our southern neighbors even went a step further: Proof is now also compulsory on long-distance trains, airplanes and other means of transport.
This has consequences for everyone who has not been vaccinated: They have to be tested again and again. For many that’s too stupid. The vaccination rate has increased accordingly.
Example Germany
The 3G rule has also been in effect in Germany since the end of August. Those who cannot prove that they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested are no longer permitted in many indoor areas. In addition to cinemas and restaurants, this also includes sports facilities, homes and events. The restaurateurs accept the rules. “Better than closed,” says the German Hotel and Restaurant Association.
A survey by the association has shown that a majority of the landlords support the 3G rule. Almost 60 percent would rate them positively or rather positively. In just as many percent of the companies, the implementation is going smoothly. Four out of ten hosts criticize the bureaucratic and time-consuming effort for the controls.
In August, restaurants generated 5.7 percent less sales than in the same month of 2019.
Example Austria
In Austria, too, the same principle has been in effect since mid-August as in other neighboring countries: Without proof, there is no access to certain places. There is no mask requirement where only people with a certificate are allowed.
The restaurants achieved about the same amount in the summer months as in previous years. The 3G rule is “not an issue” in the industry, says Hannes Jochum, the managing director of the Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce, who is responsible for gastronomy “CH Media” quoted. Only the guests from neighboring Switzerland have decreased. However, as soon as we also have the extended certificate requirement, this picture could change again.
Federal Council also hopes for a vaccination boost
The Federal Council also hopes for a vaccination boost. The expansion of the certificate requirement should also motivate many unvaccinated people in Switzerland to take the spades.
In fact, the latest federal figures point to a national trend reversal: While fewer people were vaccinated during the summer holidays than at peak times in May and June, the willingness to vaccinate is now increasing again. (dba)