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EXPLAINED: What is Switzerland’s three-phase plan for ending Covid-19 restrictions?

The Local Switzerland
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EXPLAINED: What is Switzerland’s three-phase plan for ending Covid-19 restrictions?
A medical worker receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center at Komagome Hospital in Tokyo on March 5, 2021. (Photo by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / POOL / AFP)

The Swiss government has outlined its strategy on Wednesday for gradual easing of the remaining coronavirus measures. Here are the main points.

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Just days after Swiss authorities relaxed lockdown measures across the country, the Swiss government has laid out a plan for how the country can gradually return to normal. 

There will be three phases, which will start in spring and move into the summer: protection, stabilisation and normalisation. 

Here's what you need to know. 

Protection phase: vaccination of high-risk people

“Given the need to protect vulnerable people who have not yet been vaccinated and the fragile epidemiological situation, further easing is not possible before May 26th”, the Federal Council said.

This is the phase we are in now and its focus is on vaccinating 75 percent of the people in the high-risk category. It will continue “until all vulnerable people who want it have been fully immunised — that is, with two doses”.

The Federal Council expects this phase to be completed by the end of May.

Until then, protective measures currently in place “must be maintained in order to avoid an uncontrolled increase in the number of cases and, consequently, an increase in hospitalisations and deaths”, authorities said.

If the epidemiological situation is favourable, the Federal Council will consider further relaxation of measures — such as re-opening of indoor restaurant spaces —  from May 26th at the earliest.

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Stabilisation phase: Vaccinations for general public

During this phase, the entire adult population will have access to the vaccines, and everyone who wants to be vaccinated will have received at least the first dose by the end of June.

When vaccination coverage has reached around 40 to 50 percent of the general population group, “further relaxations can be considered”,  including increasing the number of people allowed to gather together in public and at large outdoor events.

Also at this time, “it is planned to set up selective access” for people who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid.

At this point, the vaccination certificate will become available in Switzerland.

READ MORE: ‘Green pass’: Everything you need to know about the coronavirus immunity card in Switzerland

Authorities estimate that this phase will be completed by the end of July.

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Normalisation phase: lifting of measures

This phase will begin when all those who want to get vaccinated are fully immunised.

At this time, “social and economic restrictions will no longer be justified. The remaining measures will be gradually lifted”, including the mask requirement.

This phase is expected to happen by the end of August.

The Federal Council emphasised, however, that this phase-out can be implemented only if the epidemiological situation allows it. In order for that to happen, “it is essential that as many people as possible get vaccinated”.

“If, despite everything, the pandemic were to strengthen and threaten to overload the health system, the Federal Council reserves the right to maintain or reintroduce certain measures for a certain time, such as the obligation to wear a mask, the respect of distances and the limitation of capacities”, the government added.

 

 

 

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