Seniors citizens bypass the shopping ban and drive to Uri

The rule that only applied in Uri for a few days due to the spread of corona virus has been rigorously enforced for just over two weeks in the canton of Ticino: people over 65 are no longer allowed to go shopping themselves. There are security personnel at the entrance area of Ticino shops who ask customers about their age. Those who exceed the 65 limit are turned away. The police can even carry out ID checks.

The measure is highly controversial and is being discussed very emotionally. According to Federal Councillor Alain Berset, this is not compatible with federal law. The canton of Ticino is sticking to this, however, but will modify it this week. It is speculated that the stores will set up their own time periods for purchasing by the over-65 group.

Norman Gobbi is "extremely surprised"
Some seniors don't seem to want to wait that long. And some over-65s don't shy away from longer car journeys to get their shopping experience. This is at least what readers of the "Urner Zeitung" have noticed, as the daily newspaper makes public today: over the past few days, they have repeatedly observed that many people from Ticino are now using shops in Uri. Employees in particular are becoming worried.

Cars with Ticino license plates in front of the Lidl in Flüelen.

The fact that many Ticino people are now shopping in Uri is also known to the Uri police, as confirmed on request. "We have already informed our Ticino colleagues of this," says Gusti Planzer, media spokesman for the cantonal police in Uri. The room for manoeuvre has proved to be limited, however: "This behaviour is not prohibited but, in our view, is highly inappropriate," says Planzer.

When approached by CH Media, the Ticino Director of Justice and Police Norman Gobbi seemed to be extremely surprised by the phenomenon, "even if this cannot be ruled out". The Ticino cantonal police have not yet been able to verify this. But the situation will be followed up.

Meanwhile, Ticino residents are very concerned that, despite all public recommendations, many people from German-speaking Switzerland will travel to Ticino for the Easter weekend. At a media conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon of this week, the two police corps of Uri and Ticino want to inform about "information and control measures" and their implementation. Police Director Gobbi describes the cooperation between the corps of Uri and Ticino as "optimal."