Every 100th Swiss citizen in isolation or quarantine
The aim of the shortening is to lessen the impact of the quarantine measures on societyas the BAG writes in the proposal published on Friday. With the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, the number of people who have to die in quarantine is also increasing. This threatens the functionality of society in many areas and leads to staff shortages.
With the proposed measure, you can quarantine targeted at the contact persons with the highest risk of infection will. The FOPH also has its sights set on people who live in the same household or have been in close contact with the person who tested positive.
According to the BAG, the Federal Council is planning a change to the ordinance. Depending on the epidemiological situation and if time is of the essence, the cantons may, however, implement the proposed adjustments before the change in the ordinance. According to the BAG, they can rely on the corresponding legal basis in the Covid 19 Ordinance for the particular situation to justify their decision. The cantons must report the decision to the FOPH.
In terms of content, the FOPH suggests that the cantons that boosted persons are exempted from the quarantine obligation. The same should apply to people who died less than four months ago the second vaccination or who have recovered for less than four months. If there are no more symptoms on the seventh day, the quarantine should be lifted without carrying out a test.
The competent cantonal authority should also be able to decide that contact persons for Covid-19 cases can continue to work in a company that regularly tests its employees. The quarantine measures for people who carry out activities that are dying that are of great importance to society or when there is an acute shortage of staff should remain unchanged.
According to the notification, the FOPH recommends that contact persons outside the household be tested four to seven days after the last contact with a Covid-19 case and that they wear a mask every time they come into contact with others.
The FOPH urgently advises you to have a booster vaccination if the last vaccination for basic immunization was more than four months ago. In addition, the Swisscovid app will be advertised again and used as an awareness-raising tool.
With Ticino, Basel-Stadt, Vaud and Jura, four cantons have already reacted and are shortening the quarantine period in accordance with the proposals of the FOPH. In the canton of Ticino, the adjustment will apply from Saturday, as the authorities announced on Friday. The new regime will come into force next Monday in Vaud, Basel-Stadt and the Jura. (sda)