Parliament agrees to expand some provisions of the Covid-19 law to have the necessary tools at hand in case of another corona wave. The Council of States approved the extension on Tuesday by a vote of 43 to 0.
However, it is controversial who should pay for the corona tests from next year. The Federal Council wants the cantons to bear these costs from 2023 and no longer the federal government. From 1 April 2023, the cantons will also be responsible for the testing system. The cantons oppose this in the consultations.
The question is controversial in parliament: the Council of States wants the federal government to only pay for the tests in a special situation, according to the Epidemics Act. He followed a minority around Peter Hegglin (Mitte/ZG). The fact that the public sector pays for a testing regime when no measures are in place is a waste of money, says Hegglin.
According to the preliminary advisory committee, the federal government has spent 1.6 billion francs on tests this year. The National Council had decided to maintain the current regime until the end of June 2024. Until then, the federal government must pay the testing costs.
Extension until mid-2024
The Council of States again deleted the addition of the National Council to give the cantons more responsibility when it comes to hospital capacities. They must provide reserves for peak loads and also conclude mutual financing agreements for the admission of non-cantonal patients to a hospital.
The Council of States expanded further measures to combat the pandemic, just as the National Council had already done. They will enter into force on 1 January 2023 and will apply until mid-2024.
One tool is the Covid-19 certificate for those who have been vaccinated, who have recovered and who have tested negative. Parliament wants to keep it that way with the currently deactivated Swiss Covid app. This is used to keep track of contacts of those who have tested positive.
The federal government’s authority to promote the development of covid-19 medicines and facilities to protect vulnerable persons in the workplace must also be preserved. Measures in the area of foreigners and asylum seekers and in the event of border closures are also being extended – to ensure freedom of travel for border commuters and the border population.
The proposal goes back to the National Council. (SDA)