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Swedish gastronomy must close first
In Sweden, restaurants and bars are no longer allowed to serve alcohol in a week after 10pm from Friday – bars have to close half an hour later. This was announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. “All the indicators point in the wrong direction,” he stressed in view of the growing number of infections. The restrictions are expected to apply until the end of February.
Sweden made headlines internationally with its special route in the Crown crisis because it has fewer restrictions than other countries. Above all, the country relies on the common sense of each individual.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has announced restrictions on gastronomy.
Keystone
How does the EU distribute the 300 million doses of the vaccine?
With the announcement of Pfizer and Biontech’s promising vaccine earlier this week, the two companies have taken pole position. You have already secured supply contracts for 600 million doses of the vaccine. Today the European Union has also secured 300 million cans. But how does the EU intend to avoid a dispute over distribution?
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Once this promising vaccine is available, we want to start rolling out quickly. Each EU state receives its fair share at the same time and under the same conditions “.
To avoid a vaccine rush, the EU is trying to use a distribution key. According to its share of the EU population, Germany will receive 37 million Biontech units in a first tranche.
But Federal Health Minister Spahn claims 100 million. Because Germany has financially supported whey development and now receives additional doses from bilateral research contracts.
Equal distribution, but especially distribution itself, should be a challenge: because the heat-sensitive vaccine can only be distributed and stored at temperatures of minus 70 degrees. Maintaining the cold chain during distribution is probably one of the biggest logistical tasks.
Spain requires a negative PCR test on entry
Participants in Spain from Corona risk areas will have to show a negative PCR test from 23 November. The Madrid ministry of health has announced that the test should not be older than 72 hours.
To assess which European countries are considered risk areas, the Spanish authorities will refer to the risk map of the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) , The link opens in a new windowsupport. Switzerland is currently clearly a risk area here.
In the case of third countries, Spain wants to use the respective incidence of 14 days – the number of infections per 100,000 population within 14 days – for the assessment.
600 deaths within 24 hours in Great Britain
In the UK, nearly 600 people died from or from Covid-19 in one day. Overall, the number of infections on Wednesday exceeded 1.25 million since the start of the pandemic, according to the latest government data. These have also counted more than 50,000 deaths since Wednesday.
However, due to the different counting methods, the National Statistical Office already has more than 65,000 crown deaths. The office counts cases where Covid-19 is noted on the death certificate – the other number refers to previously positive cases. The fact is, however, with both methods of counting: Great Britain remains the country in Europe most affected by the corona pandemic in terms of absolute number of deaths.
Further decline in the number of passengers at Zurich airport
Operations at Zurich airport were hit by the second crown wave. After the number of passengers had already decreased in September, it continued to decrease in October.
In October, 468,616 passengers flew over Zurich airport, the airport operator announced Wednesday evening. It was 84% less than in October last year. Compared to September, the minus was a good 9 percent.
After air travel somewhat recovered in the summer months from the spring’s crown shock, the growing number of cases, travel restrictions and quarantine regulations have stalled the recovery in recent months, the airport writes.
Federal Council extends corona aid to the media
The Federal Council has extended media support measures in view of the crown crisis. Support for print media will continue until 30 June 2021. This means that Swiss Post can continue to provide subsidized newspapers and weeklies from the regional and local press free of charge. Additionally, the federal government will cover the Keystone-SDA news agency’s subscription costs for electronic media through the end of 2021.
The extension of the measures will cost the Confederation around 20 million francs. Media support in the crown crisis was originally limited at the end of November 2020.
According to the Federal Council, the measures aim to ensure regional public service throughout Switzerland. The pandemic exacerbates the structural media crisis that has been observed for years. Your ad revenue has dropped dramatically.
Family doctors want more say
The medical networks mediX and mfe Family and pediatricians Switzerland want them to be constantly involved by official bodies in planning and implementing measures to deal with the Covid 19 pandemic. For most patients, they are the first point of contact.
General practitioners and pediatricians are at the beginning and end of the care chain in dealing with infectious diseases, according to a position paper by the two associations that was published today in the “Schweizerische Ärztezeitung”.
Unlike pure test centers, sick patients can be clarified, diagnosed and treated more extensively in general practitioners’ practices. In addition, according to the two associations, research has so far largely focused on hospitalized Covid 19 cases and neglected the real-life situation in outpatient care. In particular, universities of family medicine should be involved.
A young man is being tested for Covid-19 by his doctor.
Keystone
The press conference is over
Alain Berset concluded the press conference. We thank you for your attention. We will keep you updated in our ticker.
Swissmedic promises absolute transparency
Swissmedic’s Claus Bolte promises that the vaccine approval process will be absolutely transparent. Swissmedic will also exchange ideas internationally and will present and publish all information.
Berset: “No vaccination without approval”
Berset clarifies: “As long as a product is not approved, nothing will happen with regard to vaccinations.” Therefore, it cannot be said exactly when vaccinations will begin. It is hoped to be ready in the first quarter of 2021, but obviously that is not certain.
Therefore, the crown measures would continue for a long time and it was crucial to continue to follow the rules.
Does the rapid approval process pose any risks?
Swissmedic’s Claus Bolte states that the authorization criteria are just as strict as they normally are. The process is simply accelerated because the processes are processed on an ongoing basis. Given the importance of this vaccine for the population, this is justified.
Questions about reservations at Pfizer / Biontech
What does confidential mean? A reporter wants to know if it’s all about the price. It’s also about quantities, delivery dates, pricing, and legal size, says Kronig. For technical reasons, he couldn’t say more about it.
What exactly are the 400 million for?
Basically, these include everything: purchase, storage, but also vaccination. However, much is still unclear: it still needs to be negotiated, says Kronig. Prices for vaccines are very different, adds Berset. A balance must be found between access to the vaccine and its price.
Binding reservation at Pfizer / Biontech: what does it mean?
Kronig says this is the normal procedure. Then the details could be clarified and a contract concluded: “The pace of negotiations is very fast. The negotiation is well underway ». Contracts already exist with AstraZeneca and Moderna.
Berset: “The numbers must decrease”
Another question: if the target is an R-value of 0.7, how long does the Swiss population have to reach it? If not, have new measures been threatened? Alain Berset states that there is neither a target for the R value nor any new planned measures. It is simply clear: “The numbers must decrease”.
Hospitals have now also closed non-urgent interventions. “These people now have to wait for their treatment and they can’t wait forever.” The number of hospitalizations must therefore drastically decrease.
Will enough people be vaccinated?
Alain Berset contradicts a journalist’s comparison with the flu shot, with which only about one in five can be vaccinated. He is convinced that more people will be vaccinated in this case. For him it is important that all those who want to be vaccinated have the necessary vaccinations available.
Ready for archiving?
A journalist wants to know if Switzerland is ready to keep vaccines. Berset says they have been preparing for months, the army is responsible. Nora Kronig, head of the International Bureau (BAG), adds that the material has already been purchased and is on track.
Mix vaccines?
A reporter wants to know if the different vaccines can be combined. Experts cannot answer this question at the moment.
First, risk groups should be able to be vaccinated
Who will get the vaccine first? BAG’s Stefan Kuster: “First of all, it will probably be the risk groups and their environment.” However, the exact strategy can only be determined when the vaccines and effect have been established.
Are those 100 million for the new vaccine?
Alain Berset says the money is only for vaccine procurement in general and not specifically for Pfizer / Biontech’s new vaccine. Nora Kronig from the BAG confirms this.
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