ZURICH (Reuters) – Switzerland plans to make its first “cautious steps” towards ending its coronavirus lockdown subsequent month, the government stated on Wednesday, contrasting with neighbors that are sticking with many restrictions.
In the first step, shops, museums, and libraries are due to reopen from March 1. Zoos, gardens, and sports facilities will also be reopened, with a final decision to come on Feb. 24.
Ministers have been caught being caught between health specialists supporting stricter limits and struggling businesses calling for a reopening, but an easing in the number of infections has allowed the government to change course.
“The efforts of the last few months are now paying off, the population has been very disciplined,” stated Health Minister Alain Berset.
“New infections have halved within a month, so the situation isn’t so bad. We would all like to do more activities again, such as sports.”
With the initial reopening, private events with up to 15 people would also be allowed, stated the government, up from the current restrict of 5.
Switzerland’s reopening contrasts with neighboring Austria which will decide on March 1 on a potential loosening of pandemic restrictions that happen around Easter, at the earliest.
“We’re taking a risk, but we think that’s acceptable as long as everybody plays along,” Berset informed a press conference in Bern.
Additional easing from April 1 could follow if infections remain low, he added.
Measures to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic will push Switzerland into a 15.8 billion Swiss franc ($17.59 billion) deficit for 2020, due mainly to higher spending and lower tax receipts.
Still, the government stated it might expand its spending to deal with the pandemic, which has so far claimed 9,128 lives.
It has decided to expand help package for large companies hit hard by the crisis, ramping up a compensation scheme to 10 billion francs, from 5 billion francs previously.
