COVID19 & Switzerland: reopenings yes, but free exams for all
The Federal Council would like the Confederation to assume the entire cost of self-testing as an incentive for the population to get tested and isolate themselves
The Federal Council wants to accompany the phases of gradual reopening of economic activities by considerably extending the testing strategy: in order to encourage the population to get themselves tested, it proposes that the costs be borne in full by the Swiss Confederation.
In order to improve prevention and early detection of coronavirus outbreaks, businesses and schools will have to carry out repeat tests.
Possible exemptions from quarantine requirements
Companies that test extensively may be exempted from the quarantine requirement for contact persons.
In addition, as soon as reliable do-it-yourself tests are available, the Federal Council intends to deliver five tests per month free of charge to the entire population.
So that anyone can undergo them right away, all tests performed in pharmacies or testing centers will be free of charge, even for those without symptoms.
The costs of this extension are estimated at more than one billion francs.
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A final decision is expected on March 12
The Federal Council will take a final decision on 12 March after consulting the cantons.
In order to interrupt infection chains in a targeted manner, it must be possible to identify carriers of the virus quickly.
Testing is therefore a key element in the fight against the pandemic.
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Now that sufficient testing and laboratory capacities are available and you will soon be able to test yourself, the Federal Council intends to intensify testing by making it free of charge for everyone.
In this way, it wants to encourage the gradual reopening of social and economic life.
Since the most contagious variants of the virus are spreading more and more rapidly, prevention and early detection of local outbreaks must be strengthened.
Free testing planned from Monday, 15 March
The Federal Council has already extended the testing strategy several times. Today, the federal government not only finances the testing of people with symptoms, but also the testing of people without symptoms in homes for the elderly and in schools, as well as that required to suppress local outbreaks. As of March 15, it will assume the costs of all testing.
Repeat testing in businesses and schools
The mobile population of businesses and schools will be repeatedly tested with group salivary tests.
With this system, the samples taken from the tested persons are not analyzed individually, but all together.
This significantly reduces material costs and saves a lot of time. However, repeat tests in companies do not replace protection plans, but rather reinforce them. Participation is voluntary.
Cantons will be able to exempt businesses that test frequently from the quarantine requirement for contact persons.
Do-it-yourself coronavirus tests for residents
From the outset, the success of the fight against the pandemic also depends on the individual responsibility of the population.
The Federal Council therefore also wants to facilitate access to do-it-yourself testing.
Everyone should be able to test themselves regularly, even if they have no symptoms.
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The idea is that each person can collect five do-it-yourself tests per month.
Because not enough information is yet available on their use by asymptomatic people, the Federal Office of Public Health has not yet approved these tests. The Federal Council therefore proposes that the federal government also assume the costs of rapid tests performed in pharmacies and test centers. This rule would also apply to border crossers.
Extending the strategy involves risk
Extending the testing strategy carries certain risks because each result is only a snapshot.
In addition, do-it-yourself tests are much less reliable than PCR tests.
A negative result should not give a sense of false security and induce superficial behavior.
It will still be necessary to wear a mask and keep your distance.
COVID19 – Test Type Overview
It is also important that people who test positive in a rapid test or do-it-yourself test undergo a confirmatory PCR test and immediately go into isolation.
It remains to be seen whether a negative test may be required to attend certain events or enter certain areas.
The effort is estimated at about CHF 1 billion.
The costs for the expansion of the testing strategy are estimated to be more than one billion CHF by 2021.
The legal basis is the COVID Act19, which is limited until the end of the year.
Übersicht über die Testtypen
Musterkonzept breites Testen
Entwurf Covid-19-Verordnung 3
Begleitdokument für die Kantone
Aperçu des différents types de tests
Annexe Projet de modèle de concept
Projet Ordonnance 3 COVID-19
Document daccompagnement pour les cantons