Switzerland tightens restrictions, announces more economic aid
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin (centre), flanked by Interior Mnister Alain Berset (right) and Finance Minister Ueli Maurer (left) announced new measures to try and tackle the coronavirus crisis.
Keystone
The Swiss government has announced a countrywide ban on gatherings of more than five people in public spaces to stem the spread of the coronavirus and a CHF32 billion ($32.7 billion) financial package to help the economy.
Interior Minister Alain Berset said the ban would come into force at midnight Friday and remain in place until April 19. People found violating the ban face a fine of CHF100.
He appealed to citizens to keep a distance of two metres apart.
External Content
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.
However, the government stopped short of announcing a complete nationwide lockdown.
“This is a very Swiss approach, the government doesn’t impose restrictions that people can’t understand,” Berset told a news conference on Friday. “It is a harsh measure in a free society but necessary to protect the vulnerable people.”
Spirit of citizenship
He said the measures should be applied with common sense and needed to be understood by everybody. But he came out against what he called “populist” announcements by governments in other countries where the measures are not implemented.
Berset again appealed to the spirit of citizenship and self-responsibility. “It is a serious situation and we are facing hard times,” he said, appealing to all members of society to adhere to the rules.
The government also ordered companies, notably in the building sector, to be closed if they are found in contravention of the health rules.
In addition, additional troops can be deployed to support civil authorities, private and public institutions and the population to cope with the crisis.
Economic measures
The government also announced an additional CHF32 billion for the labour market, including tourism, culture and sports. This package is in addition to the CHF10 billion already announced a week ago to cushion the expected downturn caused by the virus.
These measures are intended to safeguard jobs, guarantee wages and support the self-employed, said Economics Minister Guy Parmelin.
The bulk of the cash will go into guarantees for bank loans – CHF20 billion – for companies with liquidity problems and for “very modest” interest rates, according to Finance Minister Ueli Maurer.
He did not exclude further aid packages at a later stage to avoid a collapse of the economy.
The right to compensation in the event of a reduction in work will be extended to temporary workers and for people in an apprenticeship, so that companies will not have to let their apprentices go.
Parents who have to interrupt their work to care for their children after schools closed can claim compensation. The same applies in the event of an interruption of work due to a quarantine ordered by a doctor.
The package is subject to approval by a parliamentary committee and is set to come into force next Thursday.
The Swiss economy currently still works at about 80%, according to Parmelin and the loss in GDP is currently estimated at about CHF30 billion.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Is artificial intelligence an advantage or a disadvantage for workers?
What is your experience with AI at work? Have you already used it? Has it helped you work better? Or has it caused you more stress, more work or caused you to lose your job? Tell us about your experiences!
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
This content was published on
The banking industry is demanding regulators relax or delay a raft of rules on everything from capital and liquidity to accounting and climate change.
Swiss central bank resists temptation to reduce interest rates
This content was published on
The SNB’s announcementExternal link comes against the backdrop of media reports that it will take part in a massive financial aid package, worth up to CHF100 billion ($104 billion) to keep the Swiss economy afloat. The Swiss central bank declined to comment on this speculation. The SNB said on Thursday that it is raising the…
Government to announce further Covid-19 economic measures
This content was published on
The debt measure will come into force at 7 am on Thursday, March 19, and run until midnight on April 4, the government announcedExternal link. During this period, no debt proceedings can be launched. The move comes as businesses and independent workers struggle to come to terms with the government-imposed closure of bars, restaurants, non-essential…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.