While the incidence has been rising in Switzerland for weeks, the government is now deciding to ease it.
The mood in the population played a decisive role.
Bern - seven-day incidence 177.9,
Rising numbers of infections: Switzerland has been in the middle of the third wave for a few weeks.
Nonetheless, the government decided to take far-reaching easing measures on Monday, April 19.
Restaurants and bars are allowed to reopen their terraces, and cultural and leisure facilities as well as sports facilities can even use their interiors.
Federal Councilor Alain Berset announced the measures, but at the same time pointed out that caution was still required.
Hygiene regulations and distance requirements continue to apply.
"The situation nowadays remains quite fragile and every opening step is a risk, that is clear," said Berset.
"That's why we have to be careful."
Corona easing in Switzerland: openings initially postponed due to third wave
But if the measures are “implemented well”, it must be possible “to really develop well without the yo-yo effect”, according to the Federal Council.
Learning should also be done at the universities, face-to-face events should be allowed with up to 50 percent of the normal attendance.
The easing should have come into effect three weeks ago, but was postponed because of the third wave.
The fact that more will still be allowed is due to the trust that the population is trusting and the increased test capacity, says Berset.
Corona easing in Switzerland: mood in the population plays a decisive role
However, the Swiss Federal Council also had to admit that the mood among the population also played a not inconsiderable role in the decision: “It is clear to all of us that after thirteen or fourteen months in this situation we are really at the limit.
We can't go on, ”said Berset.
The government also has high hopes for the vaccination campaign.
The vaccine manufacturers had promised to deliver the vaccine in the promised quantities on time.
"Above all, we have a really large number of doses that come in April, but especially in May and June," said Berset and warned: "We need a very high level of willingness to vaccinate so that we can keep this situation under control."
Video: Is Switzerland fighting Covid-19 better?
Free self-tests for everyone
In Switzerland, around 13 percent of the population have been vaccinated at least once.
Compared to other European countries, however, the country vaccinates rather slowly, the vaccination rate has even slowed down slightly.
As a comparison: In Germany, almost 17 percent of the population have now received at least one dose.
The pace has recently increased sharply because family doctors can now vaccinate patients.
(fmü)
