In Switzerland, the Federal Office of Health (BAG) reported a falling number of new infections for the first time in weeks when reporting the weekly corona figures on Tuesday. The number of hospital admissions also decreased compared to the previous week. The top canton doctor, Rudolf Hauri (62), then said in a Blick interview that he did not rule out a renewed increase in the number of corona infections. Still, he doesn’t expect a “return to the mask requirement on a broad front”.
As in Switzerland, most restrictions related to the pandemic have also been phased out in many other European countries. Given the onset of winter, is there a risk of a return to the conditions of recent years?
Italy
Given the strong impact at the start of the pandemic, Italy has long been subject to the strictest measures in the EU. These even include a curfew and an obligation to wear masks outdoors. Vaccination was temporarily compulsory for certain parts of the population – those who refused had to pay a fine.
Face masks are no longer mandatory on trains and buses. They only need to be worn in hospitals. In addition, there is still a quarantine obligation for corona positive. The autumn wave was also registered with our southern neighbors, but it is already ebbing. There is no discussion about tightening the measures.
France
The country ended the health crisis at the end of July. Since then, the corona measures have been omitted. In France, the use of intensive care units is the only criterion for introducing new restrictions. Despite the autumn wave, that hasn’t been necessary so far – there are no signs that intensive care units are becoming overloaded.
In France, masks are only mandatory in healthcare facilities. The government said it was ready to expand it to other areas. Since the number of infections is currently falling again, there will probably no longer be a general obligation to wear face masks in the foreseeable future.
Germany
The situation is different in Germany. There, too, the number of new infections is currently declining. But the corona measures have so far been relaxed only very hesitantly under federal health minister Karl Lauterbach (59). In Germany, for example, the obligation to wear face masks on public transport is still in force to this day. The obligation to isolate infected people – a measure that has not been in effect in Switzerland since April 1 – has not yet been abolished.
Lauterbach even plans to tighten up the measures again: if it suits him, the federal states must reintroduce a mask requirement for all indoor spaces by the winter at the latest. It is already clear that federal states such as Bavaria will not be quick to comply with this request.
Austria
Tackling the Corona crisis has already cost two health ministers their jobs in Austria. The current incumbent, Johannes Rauch (63), is therefore less energetic than his predecessors. For example, under his leadership, compulsory vaccination was abolished before he took office.
Increasing use of hospitals in Austria recently sparked heated discussions about a return to the mask requirement. Since June, the scheme has only been available on local public transport in the capital Vienna. The isolation requirement for positives has also been lifted. Infected people without symptoms are even required to go to work. They can also attend events. The only rule: you must wear an FFP2 mask. In view of the latest corona figures, it seems unlikely that the government will soon tighten the corona screw again: In the meantime, there has not only been an easing in the number of new infections, but also in the occupation of hospitals.