The number 137 has alarmed the Federal Council

The Federal Council did not want to know about the obligation to wear masks on trains and buses. But the number of new infections reported on Wednesday contributed to the change of heart. There’s a hint of panic in the air. The cantons are not doing a good job.

Yesterday’s Federal Council decision marks a turning point. After repeated easing of the corona measures, the government has tightened the screw again for the first time. The development of new infections is likely to have led to a change of heart: 137 corona cases within 24 hours were reported yesterday morning – this figure also caused the Federal Council to pull together again.

Switzerland has so far come through the pandemic well, but now it is at a critical moment. Is it possible to keep the curve flat? Or is the much-vaunted Second Wave forming? The U-turn on the mask issue, and the fact that four federal councillors appeared before the media show that nervousness is rising.

As recently as Monday evening, Health Minister Alain Berset had said that the cantons, and no longer primarily the Federal Council, were now obliged to decide whether the 'extraordinary situation' was over. Just two days later, Berset has taken the lead again. And not without reason. The cantons wanted their power back, and they also got it – and failed to present convincing, coordinated concepts for the masks and also for bars and clubs. A declaration of bankruptcy.

This does not change the fact that the blanket mask-wearing obligation is questionable. Most trains are under-occupied, and sitting in an empty train for an hour with a mask on makes little sense.

But the Federal Council is concerned about fundamentals. It sets two signals with the mask obligation: firstly, the situation is serious. Secondly, if personal responsibility does not work, then there is coercion again, as in the lockdown.