“They are the people who were most vulnerable”, Anne Lévy, director of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), told the newspaper.
Too little attention was paid to those affected, for example when they wanted to see their relatives, while others demanded more protection. This showed that there was not one solution for everyone and that there was still room for improvement in this area of tension, said Lévy.
She conceded that the restrictions on young people could have been relaxed earlier. “We have always tried to maintain each measure only for as long as necessary. Even if we had to accept criticism for certain steps towards opening up, for example in schools,” said Lévy. “Overall, we have managed the pandemic well in Switzerland with our middle course.”
The revised Epidemics Act should create clearer responsibilities in future, strengthen the involvement of the cantons and parliament and give measures greater democratic legitimacy.
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Prevention
Swiss government completely revises pandemic plan due to Covid-19
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The Swiss government has completely revised the pandemic plan based on its experience with the coronavirus.
Coronavirus notifications from laboratories will only be sent digitally and fax notifications will no longer be accepted from 2028, said Lévy. In addition, the federal government should be able to procure medical supplies on a subsidiary basis in the event of shortages.
In terms of healthcare and personnel, Lévy referred to cantonal responsibility, while government incentives or the army pharmacy could help with medicines. The Federal Council is examining various models with the aim of strengthening security of supply.
Parliament will now discuss the bill. The organisation Mass-voll has already announced that it is preparing a referendum against the changes to the law. In their view, the Epidemics Act is a “pure instrument of power that undermines the separation of powers to the detriment of the people and the state”.
The movement had already forced three votes on the Covid-19 law. The people clearly voted in favour of the government and parliament’s course three times.
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Swiss Politics
Parliamentary body critical of Swiss pandemic preparedness
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The Swiss government reacted passively to the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in spring 2020, a parliamentary audit committee has said.
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Five charged in Switzerland with trafficking Chinese sex workers
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Five people charged in Switzerland in connection with Chinese sex worker trafficking case.
