Coronavirus: extensive normalization and simplified ground rules

As of February 28, 2020, the Federal Council has Measures to protect against the coronavirus and gradually tightened them by March 21. From April 27, it relaxed the measures again in three steps. Also in the Relaxation phase the numbers of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths have decreased and stabilized at a low level.

Events with up to 1000 people possible
In a fourth step, the Federal Council largely lifts the remaining restrictions as of June 22. Events and gatherings with up to 1000 people are allowed again. However, the tracking of contacts must always be possible. The organizer must ensure that the maximum number of people to be contacted does not exceed 300, for example by dividing the event into sectors. The cantons can also lower this limit. Large events of more than 1000 people will be permitted again from the beginning of September, provided that the epidemiological situation does not deteriorate. In the process, the participants must also be divided into sectors.

Seating is no longer compulsory in restaurants as of June 22. The Federal Council has also lifted the curfew for restaurants, discos and nightclubs.

Simplified basic rules for all
Following the relaxation steps that have been taken, the Federal Council is placing even greater emphasis on people acting on their own responsibility; people should continue to comply with the hygiene and distance rules. The Federal Council has also simplified and standardized the requirements for protection concepts. All publicly accessible places must have a protection concept; specific rules for individual categories of businesses, events or educational institutions have been dispensed with. The same requirements now apply to all concepts; there are no longer any model protection concepts.

The minimum distance between two persons is reduced from 2 meters to 1.5 meters in view of the low case rates. If the distance of 1.5 meters cannot be maintained for more than 15 minutes, there is a significant risk of infection. The distance can still be undercut if a mask is worn or partitions are in place. At events with fixed seating, for example at a concert or cinema, leaving a seat empty is sufficient. If distance measures are not possible at events, occasions or in schools, contact lists must be kept. This ensures that contacts can be traced in the event of a positive case (contact tracing).

Masks: always have with you on public transport, compulsory at demonstrations
Masks can greatly reduce the risk of infection. In public transport, wearing a mask is strongly recommended if the necessary distance cannot be maintained. All Travelers should always wear a face mask. There is no upper limit for the number of people participating in demonstrations, but the wearing of masks is mandatory. This change for political and civil society rallies will already apply from Saturday, June 20, 2020.

Home office recommendation is lifted
In the future, it will be up to the employer to decide whether employees should work at home or in the office. The Home Office Recommendations are repealed, as are the requirements for the protection of Group Particularly vulnerable persons. They can also return to work. However, the employer is obligated to protect the health of the employees with appropriate
measures to protect. The labor law applies. The simplified basic rules also apply to trade, industry and service companies that are not open to the public. Protection concepts are not necessary here.

Coping with a resurgence
Following today's exit from the exceptional situation, the Federal Council has held a debate on the management of a possible second wave. In contrast to the first wave, the main responsibility in the event of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases is to lie with the cantons. Cantons that notice an increase in the number of cases are to manage this with appropriate measures. Preference should be given to those measures that have proven to be particularly effective against the spread of new infections. The Federal Council has issued a number of mandates to the departments to cope with a second wave, for example to quickly obtain detailed data or to ensure the supply of the necessary remedies and protective equipment.

At its meeting on June 19, 2020, the Federal Council also approved the Final report of the crisis unit of the Federal Council Corona (KSBC) and decided to dissolve it with the exit from the extraordinary situation. The KSBC was convened by the Federal Council on 20 March 2020 to ensure coordination with the departments, the Federal Chancellery, cantonal representatives and other crisis teams.

Text: Federal Office of Public Health