The obligation of the Green Pass comes into force today also in Switzerland to practice many activities, such as drinking coffee at a bar or eating in the closed rooms of a restaurant. The measure was decided last week by the Federal Council to fight the coronavirus epidemic and deal with a situation in hospitals considered tense. However, there was no lack of opposition. The government considers that the percentage of the non-immunized population is still too high and that the vaccination rate remains low. In his opinion, there is therefore a danger of overloading the health facilities.
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The Covid certificate – which certifies the vaccination, the recovery from the disease or the negative result of a test – was already used for discos and large events. It has now been extended to bars and restaurants (indoors only), museums, libraries, zoos, gyms, indoor swimming pools, water parks, pool halls, but also movie theaters, sporting events, choirs, private events such as wedding parties . The pass can be made mandatory in universities – many have already done so – and employment in the world of work is also allowed, if necessary for the implementation of adequate protection measures. So far, however, no large company or public administration has introduced it, according to what the Sunday press reported yesterday. Instead, we are thinking about its use on the ski slopes.
However, the new restrictions will also entail new freedoms: at events where the Green Pass is mandatory, other protective measures such as the obligation to wear a mask are in fact dropped. Guests of structures or events that are not up to date risk a fine of 100 francs. Managers are liable to penalties that go until the end of the financial year. The cantons are responsible for the checks.
The extension of the certificate requirement is limited to 24 January 2022: however, the Federal Council reserves the right to revoke the provision prematurely if the situation in hospitals should ease. The government’s decision has also aroused opposition: in recent days there have been demonstrations in various Swiss locations, which have seen thousands of people take to the streets. A certain skepticism towards authority is also evidenced by the share of vaccinated people, which in Switzerland is lower in international comparison than in similar countries.