Bern, 23.03.2020

Letter from President Sommaruga to the population

Letter from President Sommaruga to the population

Dear fellow citizens

Our lives changed overnight.

Schools, cinemas and shops are closed, events are prohibited. Older and sick people are staying at home, and many professionals are working from home. In the office or on the street, we don't come closer to each other than two metres. Crowds of more than five people are prohibited outdoors.

These rules are important. Because they save lives. That’s why we absolutely have to comply with them. This is the only way to avoid infection and slow the spread of the Corona virus. And that's now crucial.

If the virus spreads too quickly, the intensive care units in our hospitals will become overloaded. The consequences can be devastating.

Now it’s all down to us. The number of victims in Switzerland is increasing. That hurts. The Confederation, cantons and municipalities are working on solutions day and night. But as is so often the case in our country: we need the help of the population.

We, dear fellow citizens, have it in our own hands. I therefore call on you on behalf of the Federal Council: stay at home if you are older than 65 or sick. Stay away from other people. In this way, you will help yourself. And thereby help others.

The authorities won't leave the population on its own. We will take care of companies and jobs. The Federal Council is helping companies, employees and freelancers who are struggling for their existence. It is ensuring that wages can be paid and that companies can obtain credit. More than 40 billion francs are now available, quickly and unbureaucratically.

A huge thank you!

Not everyone can stay at home. We need the health workers, the post workers, the saleswomen, the truck drivers, the bus drivers, our farmers and the members of the army: they will see that the supply system continues to work. They deserve a huge thank you!

This is exactly what has always made Switzerland stand out. When it comes down to it, we are more than 26 cantons and 8.5 million people. We are one country. And we are there for each other.

Your
Simonetta Sommaruga