Confusion over mandatory face masks in street cafés and on restaurant terraces

The face mask, one of the most important instruments in the fight against the Corona pandemic, is losing its significance in Switzerland. This has partly to do with vaccinations and tests, but also with a rebellion in large sections of the population.

Switzerland and the masks – this almost never-ending story began with a lie. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and "Mister Corona" Daniel Koch initially claimed, without blushing, that masks were of no use against the spread of the virus. They are, in fact, very useful, but there weren’t enough masks available at that time. The compulsory wearing of masks was prescribed later all the more comprehensively, and even in the open air in some places, for example in busy streets of the cities, and this was enforced by the police.

Compulsory wearing of masks has started to crumble in retirement homes and schools
And now? Masks are on the decline again in Switzerland. Some of this has been officially decreed: from last Monday, people who live in a retirement home and have been vaccinated no longer have to wear a mask, following a decision of the Federal Council (Bundesrat). And the trend has also swung back in schools: from the autumn onwards, the wearing of a face mask became obligatory at more and more school levels, but, in the meantime, the first municipalities and cantons, such as Graubünden, have now eased the requirements.

The authorities are justifying these decisions with vaccinations or tests, but there is still the unofficial – one could also say ‘illegal’ – reticence to wear a mask. While discipline in public transport is still high, it has eroded in the semi-public area. An SME that is known to the CH-Media editorial team has lifted the mask requirement in the open-plan offices, even though the federal government requires this. What is most obvious, however, is the loss of the significance of masks outdoors.

The restaurant terraces and street cafés have been full again for over a week. During the last magnificent weekend, it was difficult to find a free table at all in many places. And whether in the cities of the Central Plateau or in the tourist resorts: virtually no guest wore a mask, as this editorial board observed in all parts of the country.

Rebellion on terraces and in street cafés
Whether intentionally or out of sheer ignorance: this amounts to an act of rebellion, or at least a small one. In fact, as stated in the ordinance of the Federal Office of Public Health, masks must also be worn at terrace tables - they can only be removed when consuming.

Photo 1: Mask on before and after consumption? You should do this  - but hardly anyone does.
Photo 2: Two guests celebrate the end of the working day in Baden AG. They aren’t wearing masks                                                                                                         Photo: Alex Spichale
Photo 3: Annoyed by the current regulations: Christian Hasler         Photo: Boris Bürgisser

Casimir Platzer is president of GastroSuisse.  He says it has been a good week for the Swiss hosts, thanks to the exceptionally good weather. He speaks of "pleasingly good sales for those who have terraces and were able to open". Nevertheless, the partial opening remains a loss-making business for most gastronomic operations. The mask rule is incomprehensible to him. Casimir Platzer says his association has checked the matter with the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), the office with which the gastronomy hosts have been in contact regarding protection concepts since the beginning of the pandemic.

How GastroSuisse interprets the mask rule
Based on the feedback from the FSVO and also from the Federal Office of Public Health, Platzer says it is now clear to GastroSuisse that no mask has to be worn between the first serving and the end of the last consumption.

But the head of the GastroSuisse association makes no secret of the fact that he does not understand why a mask requirement suddenly applies for outdoors tables that is stricter than has been applied up to now, even indoors:

"It would certainly be more understandable for hosts and guests if you no longer have to wear a mask once you are seated."

Other restaurateurs are also annoyed by the mask rules. "This is rubbish," says Christian Hasler, board member of Gastro Luzern and hotel owner in Weggis. Christian Hasler also has another question: how is he supposed to deal with his hotel guests. He has always been able to receive them and host them indoors without a mask. Hasler doesn't know what now applies for them on the terrace.

No mask for hotel guests, but a mask for those who drop in for a meal? Hasler is baffled. And says that no guest has ever worn a mask on his terrace.