Switzerland promises an easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions after successful Easter
Switzerland’s Health Minister said the country can start easing lockdown measures, but warned the country was “a long way from being finished” in the battle against the coronavirus.
Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset said on Monday evening that he was pleased with people’s behaviour in respecting the lockdown during the Easter period.
In adhering to the measures, along with the continued flattening of the curve of new Covid-19 infections in Switzerland, Berset indicated that the country would start relaxing the measures soon.
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“It didn’t go too badly and so we need to thank everyone for that. As we said, this is not the moment to travel or take holidays - for example in Ticino - and as we saw, people have stuck to the rules.
“I’m happy about that - we’re asking a lot from people at the moment, it needs to be said.”
Berset said that while the country could now begin loosening lockdown measures, the focus was to avoid having a second wave of infections.
The Minister said he wanted to avoid what had taken place in other countries, where measures were relaxed but later strengthened as infections again rose.
“We will do everything we can in loosening the measures without the risk of having to tighten them again.
Berset reasserted that the country needed to remain humble as vulnerable people will continue to be affected until there is a vaccine. Until a vaccine was found, there is a need to abide by the rules and to keep proper hygiene, Berset said.
Berset did not give a concrete date on when lockdown restrictions would be eased, or exactly which measures would be dropped first.
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Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset said on Monday evening that he was pleased with people’s behaviour in respecting the lockdown during the Easter period.
In adhering to the measures, along with the continued flattening of the curve of new Covid-19 infections in Switzerland, Berset indicated that the country would start relaxing the measures soon.
Swiss president: Older people won't be confined indefinitely
“It didn’t go too badly and so we need to thank everyone for that. As we said, this is not the moment to travel or take holidays - for example in Ticino - and as we saw, people have stuck to the rules.
“I’m happy about that - we’re asking a lot from people at the moment, it needs to be said.”
Berset said that while the country could now begin loosening lockdown measures, the focus was to avoid having a second wave of infections.
The Minister said he wanted to avoid what had taken place in other countries, where measures were relaxed but later strengthened as infections again rose.
“We will do everything we can in loosening the measures without the risk of having to tighten them again.
Berset reasserted that the country needed to remain humble as vulnerable people will continue to be affected until there is a vaccine. Until a vaccine was found, there is a need to abide by the rules and to keep proper hygiene, Berset said.
Berset did not give a concrete date on when lockdown restrictions would be eased, or exactly which measures would be dropped first.
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