Corona measures: The following will now apply

The Federal Council has explained how it intends to bring Switzerland through the Corona danger during the festive period. Friday's decisions are given here in the original version.

The following measures will apply from Saturday, 12^th December 2020, and will be limited to 22^nd January 2021.

• Curfew from 7 p.m. and closing on Sundays and public holidays: restaurants, bars, shops, markets, museums and libraries, as well as sports and leisure facilities, must close between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Shops, markets, museums and libraries, as well as sports and leisure facilities, will also be closed on Sundays and national holidays. Restaurants and bars, on the other hand, can be open on Sundays and public holidays. The curfew will only apply from 1 a.m. on 24th December and New Year's Eve. Takeaway offers and delivery services can remain open until 11 p.m.
   
• Exception for cantons with favourable epidemiological development: cantons with a favourable epidemiological development will be allowed to extend the curfew until 11 p.m. The prerequisite for this is that the reproduction value is below 1 for at least 7 days and that the 7-day incidence is below the Swiss average for at least 7 days. In addition, there must be sufficient capacity available for contact tracing and health care within the canton. If a canton wants to extend its opening hours, it must consult with the neighbouring cantons.
   
• Events are forbidden: Public events are prohibited. Excluded are religious celebrations (up to a maximum of 50 people), funerals in the circle of friends and families, meetings of legislatures and political rallies.
   

• Private meetings: A maximum of 10 people: the Federal Council waives further restrictions on private meetings. It will remain with the current rule of 10 people, with children also being counted. The Federal Council also strongly recommends that private meetings be limited to two households. This arrangement is clear and allows for Christmas parties on a small scale.
   
• Sport and culture: At most five: sports activities in leisure time are only allowed in groups up to a maximum of 5 people. Contact sports remain prohibited. Group activities are also restricted to 5 people in the non-professional cultural sector.
   
• Sporting and cultural activities (excluding competitions) for children and adolescents before their 16th birthday are still allowed. This also applies to training and competitions of members of national teams, as well as trainings and matches in the professional leagues, but without spectators. Rehearsals and performances by professional artists or ensembles are also allowed.
   

The opinions of the Cantons diverge widely
In the consultation leading to these decisions, the cantons generally shared the assessment of the epidemiological situation. A majority welcomed a greater standardisation of measures. Many also call for immediate and effective federal measures to cushion the economic impact. A large majority do not agree with the approach of the Federal Council, however.

The Federal Council will discuss how it intends to proceed with regard to further tightening measures at its meeting on 18^th December.