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Coronavirus: “extraordinary situation”
16 March 2020
The Federal Council declares an “extraordinary situation” under the Epidemics Act. Shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and leisure venues close until 19 April, except for food and health. Border controls with Germany, France and Austria begin at midnight. The Federal Council approves the deployment of the army, up to 8,000 troops, to support the cantons.
Alain Berset acknowledges that the previous measures “were unevenly and insufficiently followed”. Yet the government rules out an Italian-style lockdown: “We do not want to paralyse the country completely.” And: “The country will keep functioning, even if more slowly.”
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