Switzerland monitoring mobile phone data to determine further lockdowns: Report
Swiss authorities are using mobile phone data to determine whether more stringent lockdowns need to be put in place.
The Tages Anzeiger reported late on Monday night that further lockdowns remain on the table in Switzerland - with the major deciding factor being whether or not existing restrictions are being followed.
As reported, phone data is being tracked to see if people are staying home and choosing not to congregate in groups. If the measures aren’t being followed, more extreme restrictions are set to be implemented by the government at a press conference to take place later on Monday.
On Friday, March 20th, the Swiss government put in place sweeping new restrictions, calling upon people to stay home and banning groups of more than five under the threat of a CHF100 punishment.
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The government did however stop short of putting in a curfew, with Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset saying the government wanted to “avoid a political show”.
More extreme measures?
According to the Tages Anzeiger, the more extreme measures will be implemented in two steps.
The first is to impose a curfew from 6pm each day, requiring everyone to stay in their homes unless leaving with a valid excuse such as shopping or visiting a medical facility.
The government will then continue to monitor mobile phone metadata to determine whether this is being complied with. If not, a complete curfew similar to that seen in Italy and France being a potential further step.
A number of other countries have used mobile phone data - whether consensually or not - to track the movement of citizens in order to see whether coronavirus curfews are being maintained.
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The Tages Anzeiger reported late on Monday night that further lockdowns remain on the table in Switzerland - with the major deciding factor being whether or not existing restrictions are being followed.
As reported, phone data is being tracked to see if people are staying home and choosing not to congregate in groups. If the measures aren’t being followed, more extreme restrictions are set to be implemented by the government at a press conference to take place later on Monday.
On Friday, March 20th, the Swiss government put in place sweeping new restrictions, calling upon people to stay home and banning groups of more than five under the threat of a CHF100 punishment.
'Help is coming': What you need to know about Switzerland's new emergency coronavirus measures
The government did however stop short of putting in a curfew, with Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset saying the government wanted to “avoid a political show”.
More extreme measures?
According to the Tages Anzeiger, the more extreme measures will be implemented in two steps.
The first is to impose a curfew from 6pm each day, requiring everyone to stay in their homes unless leaving with a valid excuse such as shopping or visiting a medical facility.
The government will then continue to monitor mobile phone metadata to determine whether this is being complied with. If not, a complete curfew similar to that seen in Italy and France being a potential further step.
A number of other countries have used mobile phone data - whether consensually or not - to track the movement of citizens in order to see whether coronavirus curfews are being maintained.
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