Pandemic measures – Geneva more severe than Bern for the mask outside

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Pandemic measures – Geneva more severe than Bern for the mask outside

Mauro Poggia presented on Wednesday the Geneva version of the measures taken by the Federal Council.

The Council of State adopted on Wednesday morning a decree reflecting on the cantonal territory the measures decided on Friday by the Federal Council in terms of health measures. Overall, Geneva aligns itself with the Confederation but adds two additional measures: the wearing of a compulsory mask in a private or professional vehicle from two people (with the exception of members of the same household), as well as the compulsory wearing wearing a mask outside when it is not possible to maintain social distancing. There will be no adaptation time, since all the measures come into force from 6 p.m. this Wednesday.

"We have indeed decided that, in certain circumstances, the mask should also be compulsory," said Mauro Poggia, the State Councilor responsible for the Department of Security, Population and Health. This will be the case for example in the Rues-Basses. For the rest, there are few differences with the Confederation. The general direction is an extension of the wearing of the mask and the requirement of the Covid certificate in order to try to control the current outbreak of contamination and even more hospitalizations.

The case of schools

As already confirmed on Monday by Anne Emery-Torracinta, children from the age of 8 are required to wear the mask. “It's a difficult step to take, admitted Mauro Poggia. There is always a weighing of interests to be made between health protection and the inconvenience that this constitutes for the child's development and learning. There may have been hope that the children would be saved, but that is not the case.

In higher education institutions, the Covid certificate or the certificate as well as the wearing of a mask are compulsory. “The case of examinations obeys specific rules, depending in particular on the infrastructures available to the establishments”, specifies the Council of State. It will therefore be on a case-by-case basis, and this remains to be specified.

The arrival of 2G

For places of entertainment and culture such as cinemas and theatres, the Covid certificate and the mask are required. However, operators who choose to open their doors only to vaccinated or cured people (the famous 2G for Geimpft or Genesen) no longer have to require the wearing of a mask. This also applies to restaurants, clubs and indoor bars.

As decided by the Federal Council, participants in an outdoor demonstration must be masked. Beyond 300 people, the Covid certificate becomes mandatory, with the notable exception of political demonstrations. Again, if the demonstration only brings together cured or vaccinated people who can be controlled, the masks can fall.

At the end of the presentation, Mauro Poggia recalled that vaccination is the most effective way to protect against Covid-19. “We encourage all people over 65 and vulnerable people to register for the administration of the third dose of vaccine,” insisted the State Councilor. And to confirm that the third dose will be open to the entire population from December 16.

New master plan

This same Wednesday, the Council of State validated the roadmap of the new cantonal master plan 2050. "The master plan is a central instrument of organization of the territory in the medium and long term, commented Serge Dal Busco, the president of the government. Its revision is placed under the sign of cross-border collaboration and energy transition.” A long way remains to be covered before reaching the goal, since this document will only be submitted to the Grand Council in four years.

“Five orientations have been defined to guide the review,” continued Antonio Hodgers, the State Councilor responsible for the Territory. Here they are: the primacy of natural and living resources, an inclusive and united territory, a multipolar city, a structuring landscape, environmental and agricultural project, a framework that leaves room for experimentation and flexibility. It should be noted that, from the spring of 2022, workshops open to the population will be created to help develop the cross-border territorial vision.

Eric Budry is a journalist, attached to the Tribune de Genève, and more specifically covers cantonal politics. Holder of a master's degree in political science from the University of Geneva, he worked in various newspapers before joining the Geneva daily in 2000.

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