Govt meets today to discuss Covid rules

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The Federal Council is meeting today to discuss possible changes to the Covid regulations.

Commentators suggest after a recent meeting with the cantons, there is no clear direction of what rules to change and when – but it’s clear there’s no appetite for further tightening, the question is what to relax and when?

The most immediate question is how long should the 2G  rules should be in place for as well as the obligation to work from home. 

Many cantons made it clear they would like to see those rules gone by the end of next month. But others believe that’s too early and they should stay until April. 

It’s possible the government will agree to reduce the obligation to work from home to a recommendation. 

It’s also possible quarantine rules will become more focused on personal responsibility instead of an official order. The Omicron wave is overwhelming test and trace centres and so authorities are having a hard time keeping up. But it’s also felt some in the Council believe its too early for that. 

There is one point of agreement. How long the vaccine pass should be valid for? It’s been reduced from 365 days to 270. But that’s because the EU changed its rules and if the Swiss issued passes are to remain valid in the rest of Europe, Switzerland has to follow. 

Everyone agrees that’s essential. 

The Federal Health Office says many passes held by those who have only been jabbed twice will now expire next month. As it takes 2 weeks from the jab to become valid – those people will need to get the booster soon to make sure their pass does not have a validity gap. 

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