New coronavirus: Federal government measures

The Federal Council’s highest priority is to protect the public. It has declared that a ‘special situation’ exists in Switzerland. As a result, the federal government can introduce special measures such as banning large-scale events.

Ban on large-scale events – what does that entail?

Switzerland’s Epidemics Act distinguishes between three different situations: normal, special and exceptional. In view of the current circumstances and the spread of the coronavirus, the Federal Council has declared that a special situation exists.

Under this category it has the competence to take decisions on matters that would normally be in the remit of the cantons. One such measure is to ban events.

The Federal Council is aware that this measure will have a significant impact on public life in Switzerland. However, in doing so the aim is to protect people in Switzerland from the new coronavirus and delay the spread of the disease.

The following information explains what impact this measure is likely to have in various cases.

Events attended by more than 1000 people

Public and private events in Switzerland attended by more than 1000 people are banned with immediate effect. The ban will last until at least 15 March. The cantons are responsible for enforcing the ban.

Grounds:

• At large-scale events, those taking part are often in very close proximity. A person infected with new coronavirus is capable of infecting a large number of people (risk of infection = more than 15 minutes at a distance of less than 2 metres from a person who is infected).
• In Switzerland, the aim at the present time is to be able to rapidly identify and isolate all cases of infection with new coronavirus. The key factor here is being able to trace anyone who has come into close contact with infected individuals and place them in quarantine. At large-scale events, it is no longer possible to trace whom the person came into contact with.

Events attended by fewer than 1000 people

If an event is likely to draw fewer than 1000 people, the organisers must weigh up the risk together with the competent cantonal authorities. The cantons may decide to ban the event.

Grounds:

The Federal Council has decided that in the case of events attended by fewer than 1000 people, the competence to decide whether or not to allow an event to take place should rest with the cantons.

Places of work with more than or fewer than 1000 staff

Places of work are not affected by the ban on events.

Grounds:

• It is possible to trace whom the infected person has come into close contact with.
• Places of work are able to implement the rules on hygiene (see the information campaign ‘Protect yourself and others’) and what to do to prevent infection.
• Employees are able to adhere to those rules.

Places of work can offer their staff additional measures. These may involve working from home, keeping the number of meetings to a minimum, or holding telephone/video conferences instead.

Other places where large numbers of people congregate: public transport, supermarkets, schools, cinemas, universities

No restrictions are currently in place. Although many people contact with one another, the circumstances are not quite the same.

Grounds:

• Although large numbers of people do gather in close proximity at railway stations, for example, these contacts are of short duration. If you travel by train, you may sit next to someone for a longer duration, but there are not 1000 people in a carriage.
  
• It is easier to apply our recommendations on hygiene and what to do to prevent infection (see the information campaign ‘Protect yourself and others’).

Please note

• Follow the rules on hygiene and what to do to prevent infection (see the information campaign ‘Protect yourself and others’). You can order posters and display them wherever you think is appropriate.

• Healthy people do not need to wear hygienic masks in public. Masks do not offer healthy people sufficient protection against infection with new coronavirus. However, should you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, a cough and a high temperature, you can protect others against infection by wearing a hygienic mask if you have to leave your home to attend a doctor’s appointment, for example.