{"id":130317,"date":"2022-02-16T19:11:13","date_gmt":"2022-02-16T19:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/covid-19-i-provvedimenti-che-ridanno-liberta-alla-svizzera\/"},"modified":"2022-02-17T09:44:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T09:44:31","slug":"covid-19-measures-to-restore-switzerlands-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/covid-19-measures-to-restore-switzerlands-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19: Measures to restore Switzerland’s freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"

COVID-19: Measures to restore Switzerland’s freedom<\/h1>\n

The Federal Council revokes the measures in force until the end of March, with the exception of the isolation and compulsory use of masks on transport and in healthcare<\/em><\/h3>\n

From Thursday, February 17, 2022, stores, restaurants, cultural facilities, public buildings and events in Switzerland will again be accessible without a mask or certificate. The compulsory use of face masks at work and the recommendation for teleworking have also been revoked.
\nAt its meeting the previous day, the Federal Council repealed almost all national measures against the pandemic.
\nFor the protection of people at particular risk, only the isolation of people who have tested positive and the compulsory wearing of masks on public transport and in health care facilities will remain in force until the end of March.
\nThe epidemiological situation is constantly improving. Thanks to the high immunity rate of the population, an overloading of the health care system is increasingly unlikely despite the still strong circulation of the virus.
\nThe Federal Council, which has been adjusting its measures to the capacities of the health system since May 2021, therefore considers that the conditions are in place for a rapid normalisation of economic and social life.
\nAfter consultation with the cantons, the social partners, the competent parliamentary committees and the associations concerned, it is therefore withdrawing most of the measures against the pandemic.<\/p>\n

COVID: two different “end of restrictions” scenarios in Switzerland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Le
The flags of the 26 cantons on display outside the Federal Palace in Bern<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Consultation: Majority for rapid repeal<\/h2>\n

On February 2, the Federal Council submitted for consultation two variants for the repeal of measures that are still in force.
\nA clear majority of the respondents was in favor of an immediate repeal of most of the measures, but they were also in favor of maintaining the compulsory wearing of masks in health care facilities and on public transport for as long as the number of infections remains high.<\/p>\n

The “new” COVID Law19 passes the Swiss people’s scrutiny<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Ogni
Each country deploys different strategies to combat the Coronavirus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From February 17: lifted almost all measures<\/h2>\n

As of Thursday, February 17, the following national protective measures will be lifted:
\n– the mask requirement in stores and indoor areas of restaurants, publicly accessible facilities and events;
\n– The requirement to wear a mask in the workplace;
\n– the restriction of access to facilities such as cinemas, theaters and interior spaces of restaurants and events by means of the certificate requirement (rules 3G, 2G and 2G+);
\n– the permit requirement for large events;
\n– restrictions for private meetings.
\nIn agreement with the Federal Council, the voluntary capacity restrictions in the retail trade and ski lifts are also lifted.
\nTeleworking recommendation revoked
\nThe teleworking recommendation of the Federal Office of Public Health has also been withdrawn.
\nEmployers, who are legally obliged to protect the health of their employees, will decide whether they want to work at home or wear a mask.
\nOn the other hand, the rules for the protection of workers at particular risk remain in force until the end of March.<\/p>\n

COVID certificate ordinance adopted in Switzerland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"La
The mask is one of the most popular tools to counteract COVID-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Until March 31: some confinements and protections<\/h2>\n

In view of the fact that the circulation of the virus is still very strong and that the virus can still cause severe courses of disease, the Federal Council is maintaining two protective measures of the COVID-19 ordinance until the end of March. Depending on the circulation of the virus, an earlier revocation is possible.
\nPeople who test positive will have to remain in isolation for at least five days. The aim is to prevent carriers of a potentially high viral load from infecting other people.
\nThe requirement to wear a mask on public transport and in health care facilities also remains unchanged.
\nExcluded from this obligation are residents of old people’s homes and nursing homes. The cantons are free to take more stringent protective measures or to exclude certain facilities from the mask requirement.
\nIndividual facilities, such as medical practices or hairdressing salons, may also require visitors to wear a mask.<\/p>\n

In Switzerland, the COVID19 certificate is universal and cannot be falsified<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Reclute
Swiss Army recruits equipped with masks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 1: It will be the end of the “special situation”<\/h2>\n

The COVID-19 special situation ordinance will continue to regulate isolation and the mask requirement on public transportation and in healthcare facilities until the end of March.
\nIf the epidemiological situation evolves as expected, it will be repealed on April 1, 2022, and the normal situation will revert to that date.
\nRegulations based on the federal competencies defined in the Epidemics Act (e.g. on international travel or the assumption of costs for medicines) and those concerning the certificate or assumption of costs for tests based on the COVID-19 Act remain in force.
\nThe issuance of EU-compatible COVID certificates continues.<\/p>\n

COVID, Switzerland updates regulations on itinerant trade<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Il
The COVID certificate of the Swiss Confederation in digital version<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cantonal and EU certificates still possible<\/h2>\n

With the lifting of the certificate requirement, COVID certificates valid only in Switzerland will no longer be issued. The so-called Swiss COVID certificates were introduced in the fall of 2021 to allow additional groups of people access to facilities and events in Switzerland for which a certificate is required.
\nHowever, Switzerland continues to issue EU-recognized COVID certificates.
\nIt is likely that other countries will continue to require a COVID certificate for entry and access to certain places in Switzerland. Cantons will still have the option of prescribing the certificate requirement, as they would like.<\/p>\n

COVID, Switzerland updates regulations on itinerant trade<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"L'esito
The (positive) outcome of a test for COVID19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Testing strategy adjustment arrives<\/h2>\n

The general recommendation and funding of repeated tests in enterprises are withdrawn.
\nRepeated tests continue to be financed only in limited areas, for example in health and medical-social facilities or in companies, defined by the canton, that are important for the operation of essential infrastructure.
\nIn this way, people who are particularly at risk are protected and it is avoided that a large part of the staff has to be absent from work due to illness or isolation.
\nAs far as schools are concerned, the recommendation and funding of repeat testing by the federal government is maintained until the end of March 2022, as the virus continues to spread at a very high rate among younger people.<\/p>\n

\n

#BREntscheid<\/a>\u202f#CoronaInfoCH<\/a> Der Bundesrat hebt ab 17. Februar fast alle Massnahmen auf. Nur die Maskenpflicht im \u00d6V und in Gesundheitseinrichtungen sowie die Isolation f\u00fcr positiv Getestete bleiben noch bestehen: https:\/\/t.co\/pKTlr3ltTE<\/a> (BK)<\/p>\n

\u2014 Andr\u00e9 Simonazzi (@BR_Sprecher) February 16, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n