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For the time being, Switzerland is waiving a test requirement for travelers from China. The Federal Council decided on Wednesday.
The German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (59) is certainly not enjoying the Bundesrat at the moment. In contrast to all surrounding EU countries, Switzerland is still waiving a corona test obligation for travelers from China for the time being. “The Federal Minister of Health continues to support a coordinated European approach,” his ministry remains diplomatic when asked.
Germany is very concerned about the corona situation in China. Because many infections would also mean many opportunities for the virus to mutate. “In addition, we lack the data from China to be able to estimate whether new mutations will occur,” explains a ministry spokeswoman. It is therefore right to expand monitoring and to demand tests. “If there should be a new virus variant, we want to be able to recognize it early on.”
Sharp criticism from SVP and center
The criticism of the Federal Council’s decision in Switzerland itself is becoming clearer. The SVP and the center party have no understanding at all. The FDP, on the other hand, supports the government’s decision. At the request of the SVP, the National Council Health Commission will deal with it on Thursday. In it, the Federal Council is asked to subject travelers from China to a mandatory test after all
SVP faction leader Thomas Aeschi (43) regrets the government decision. Many countries assessed the epidemiological situation differently, such as the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Spain or Japan. They expected mutations of the virus and a possible increase in corona infections.
“Mutations in Switzerland can be avoided with compulsory testing”
In his view, Switzerland would be better off reacting now than having to impose domestic restrictions again later. Unfortunately, things have often turned out differently than expected in the past. Compulsory testing for people from China could prevent this mutation from being brought to Switzerland.
For the center party, too, the waiver of a mandatory test is “hard to understand”. In view of the rapid and unknown development, precautionary measures are now needed, she wrote on the short message service Twitter. Both the EU and the United Nations Health Organization (WHO) have recommended compulsory testing for travelers from China. This is also necessary for Switzerland.
FDP stands behind Federal Council decision
The Zurich FDP national councilor Andri Silberschmidt (28) sees the situation very differently: he supported the decision of the Federal Council on behalf of the party. Because he trusts that the government will make its decisions based on risk and epidemiological indicators, says Silberschmidt.
He also thinks it would be wrong if a militia parliament were to issue entry restrictions for certain countries. All the more so because the demand comes from a party that has repeatedly spoken out against the Covid law. Initially, no reactions were available from the SP and the Greens. (SDA)