Parties react to Federal Council decisions
The FDP, green liberals and the center welcome the shortening of the isolation and quarantine period to five days. The representatives of the cantons also understand this new measure, even if no consultation has taken place. When proceeding further, however, the parties set different priorities.
In its reaction to the Federal Council media conference, the FDP called for an exit scenario from the corona measures. Specifically, the FDP is addressing what it sees as a “rigid” home office obligation. For the green liberals, the shorter isolation and quarantine is understandable. But the situation remains critical and the burden on the intensive care units is difficult to estimate.
The center also announced that the primary goal remains to prevent the health system from being overloaded. However, the quarantine regulation should not cause so many work stoppages that infrastructures could no longer be maintained. The shortening of the quarantine period is “a viable middle ground”.
The Greens are sharply critical of the Federal Council’s latest decisions on corona policy. Party president Balthasar Glättli accused the state government of accepting victims on the way to the endemic phase. Glättli wrote on the short message service Twitter of a high-risk strategy regarding deaths, illnesses with long-term consequences and an overload of infrastructure and health workers.
Bern: Adapted test concept for schools
The government council of the canton of Bern has decided that under certain conditions schools can introduce repetitive testing based on the federal solution. The condition for this is that at least 80 percent of the students participate. This quota relates to the individual school locations. The municipalities decide on the introduction of the repetitive tests in the elementary schools, and the school administrators in the other schools. The change will come into effect on January 13th and will last until April 30th.
The elementary schools will inform the parents of the intention to test and advise that they can contact the school if they do not wish to have their children tested. Basically, the canton of Bern is sticking to the strategy of outbreak testing. This means that schools that take part in repetitive testing cannot take part in the canton’s outbreak testing at the same time.
Legend:
The threshold of 80 percent ensures the usefulness of the repetitive tests from an epidemiological point of view, writes the Bernese government council in a statement.
Keystone
Cassis and Berset say goodbye
The Federal Council’s media conference has ended. We too have ended our reporting for the information of the government and thank you for your interest. Here in the ticker you can continue to find out about the latest developments relating to the coronavirus.
5 days of isolation: Aren’t the Delta infected people in isolation for too little?
Virginie Masserey from the BAG answers that 90 percent of all corona cases are currently infected with Omikron. About 10 percent are still delta cases. Of course, there is an increased risk if the isolation is shortened for delta infected people. But the risk is very moderate when you compare that with the overall situation.
Isn’t the current development a contagion?
Cassis: “That is not our strategy at all. Otherwise we would not have a 2G or 3G rule or a mask requirement. Our goal is to slow the wave down in order to be able to care for the sick. We couldn’t do that otherwise. “
What do you think about the ski races in Adelboden last weekend?
In fact, the pictures of the ski races in Adelboden last weekend went around the world, says Cassis. However, the Federal Council is assuming that the major events will comply with the applicable rules, 2G or 2G Plus. With the 3G rule, events such as ski races can be implemented with spectators, answers Berset.
“Maybe we are now in the transition from pandemic to endemic”
Question from a journalist: What makes you so sure that everything could be over after Omikron? Berset: “There is always a risk. We don’t know what will happen in the future. This very high immunity rate that we now have in the population could, however, mean that the endemic is ushered in. Perhaps we are now in the transition from pandemic to endemic. A mutation tends to become less and less dangerous over time. “
Does the quarantine and isolation reduction have a financial ulterior motive?
Berset says no. The shorter incubation and infection times of Omikron made it possible to introduce quarantine and shortening of isolation. There was a particularly shortage of workers in the health sector.
Is there a risk that the population will take Omikron lightly?
Cassis: “Yes, there is a risk. But one thing remains clear: we must continue to strictly adhere to the measures, wear a mask and allow ourselves to be boosted. It must never happen that the hospitals are overloaded. We can’t stop the virus at the moment, we can only slow the wave down. “
Doesn’t doing without new measures equate to a search strategy?
Cassis replies: “The Federal Council is not foregoing new measures, because the isolation and quarantine should now be shortened to 5 days. This is how social life is to be maintained. The search for the balance between medical care and social life always remains at the center of the efforts of the Federal Council. “
Shouldn’t the certificate simply be abolished?
At a certain point in time, the certificate will be abolished. But Switzerland is currently experiencing the largest wave of infections since the pandemic, says Berset. Therefore, the time for easing is not given. In addition, the number of non-immunized people is still too high. “First the peak of the current wave has to be ended,” says Berset.
Has the Federal Council discussed the assumption of costs for the antigen tests?
The question of testing costs was not discussed today, replies Berset.
Does the 5-day quarantine also apply retrospectively from tomorrow?
Michael Gerber, Head of Legal Department BAG: «Yes. The regulation also applies to people who are currently already in quarantine under the current regime. This means that the cantons will be able to release the people in quarantine and isolation using a suitable form as soon as the 5 days have expired. “
Why does the quarantine not apply to those who have been boosted?
Question from a journalist: Omikron is contagious even for people who have been vaccinated. You can also pass the virus on. Why does the quarantine not apply to those who have been boosted? Virginie Masserey, Head of Infection Control and Vaccination Programs: “Vaccinated and convalescent people are only exempt from quarantine for four months.”
Has the Federal Council discussed abolishing the quarantine?
Berset replied that this question was currently being consulted.
Which scenario for the utilization of the IPS places?
Now it is the journalists’ turn. Question: What is the Federal Council’s scenario for the utilization of the IPS places? Berset: “We have always taken risks. To protect health, but also not to unnecessarily harm society and the economy. We expect more hospitalizations, but not a large increase in IPS places. But we have to remain mindful and flexible. “
Berset speaks of the end of the pandemic for the first time
The vaccination is crucial to prevent a severe course of infection. The situation remains uncertain and difficult to interpret. But Omikron is less dangerous. Perhaps it could be the beginning of the end of a pandemic to endemic, concludes Berset.
Period of validity of the certificate
Berset: “We want the certificate’s period of validity to be reduced to 270 days. This should apply from February 1st. “
Shortly before the decisive turning point
It is not only the high number of cases that is important, but also their effects on the hospitals. Currently, a slight decrease of around 20 percent has been observed on the IPS beds since December 8, says Berset. “In this phase we could be on the verge of a decisive turning point and move on to the endemic phase.”
Even so, there will be more cases. The Federal Council is therefore proposing that the measures be extended until March 31. Perhaps the measures could be lifted before the end of March, but first observing how the situation develops.
Berset: “No new measures are needed”
Health Minister Berset is now taking the floor: «We in the Federal Council are not deviating from our line. We want to avoid overloading the hospitals. That has been the main goal of the Federal Council since vaccination was launched. The IPS stations in particular must now be supported. The situation is not easy, but no new measures are needed. “