Coronavirus in Italy and Switzerland: contingency measures
Coronavirus T.G.V in Switzerland
Switzerland has an extremely well-developed health care system which upholds the principles of universality and equality through means such as compulsory health insurance. However, the challenge caused by the coronavirus is pressuring the institution and the way of life in some cantons.
The coronavirus continues to spread in Switzerland with 31 new cases confirmed within 24 hours, bringing the number of people infected to 312. Ticino, Geneva and Vaud are the most affected cantons in the country.
The Confederation has also announced that screening for coronaviruses is no longer systematic in Switzerland. Since this weekend, healthy people who do not belong to a risk group but who have flu-like symptoms are invited to stay at home for up to 24 hours after the symptoms have ended. The objective is twofold: not to contaminate other people and not to overload health systems.
For the Minister of Health Alain Berset, questioned by the RTS, it is a question of "crossing as best as possible the epidemic wave which arrives". For him, "blocking everything is impossible and we must focus on vulnerable people and institutions".
In addition, the linked quarantines will be shorter. Infected people should remain in solitary confinement for at least ten days and only their very close contacts will be quarantined for at least five days.
Contingency measures in Switzerland
On February 24, Federal Councilor Alain Berset in charge of the Federal Department of the Interior said during his first press conference concerning this epidemic "that 300 suspected cases have been analyzed so far, and a certain number of people are being placed in quarantine and that no case has been identified at this stage. " The next day, the Confederation plans to set up tests in the canton of Ticino, (border area with Italy, particularly affected by the epidemic) and Pascal Strupler, director of the Federal Office of Public Health, specifies that experts from the National Reference Center for Emerging Viral Infections (CRIVE) (Virology Laboratory of Geneva University Hospitals) will travel to Ticino.
In the event of an epidemic, the authorities, including the Federal Council, refer to the federal law on the fight against communicable diseases of man (LEp), adopted by the Swiss people in popular vote on September 22, 2013.
On February 28, Switzerland having increased to 15 cases in just three days, the Federal Council banned demonstrations by more than 1,000 people until March 15. The Basel Carnival, the Geneva International Motor Show 2020 and the Baselworld watch fair in Basel are notably canceled. For events of less than 1,000 people, the risks must be assessed by the organizers in collaboration with the competent cantonal authority. It is the latter who decides whether the demonstration can take place or not.
On March 4, Federal Councilor Alain Berset summons the members of the Steering Committee of the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors (CDS) to Bern to agree on the application criteria for the ban on demonstrations on February 28, 2020. They stipulate in particular that the organizers are exempt from requiring the agreement of the cantonal authorities concerning the coronavirus for events of less than 150 participants, but do not recommend participation to people at risk, that is to say people 65 years of age or older and people with chronic diseases.
Switzerland - Italy : travel guidance
Since March 8, 2020, the Italian government has recommended avoiding non-emergency travel to Lombardy and several affected regions of northern Italy, including Milan and Venice. People who have to travel for professional reasons are not affected by this measure. Other measures are possible. Checks will be carried out along motorways, stations and airports in the region. Follow developments in the media as the situation can quickly change. Check with the Italian Embassy in Bern or on site with the Ministry of Health in Rome about the latest measures in force at your place of destination. Follow the instructions of the local authorities.
Before a trip, consult for more information:
the Italian Ministry of Health: Ministero della Salute (number of cases, regions affected, various measures and for daily updates)
FDFA: Advice for travelers to Italy
International Air Transport Association: IATA
Health care system in Italy
The health care system in Italy is a regionally based national health service known as Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). It provides free of charge universal coverage at the point of service. While the national level ensures the general objectives and fundamental principles of the national health care system are met, regional governments in Italy are responsible for ensuring the delivery of a benefits package to the population. The health system is overwhelmed, with more than 700 people in need of intensive care.
nCOV-19 vs the Italian health system
Italy has extended its emergency coronavirus measures, which include travel restrictions and a ban on public gatherings, to the entire country.
On Monday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte ordered people to stay home and seek permission for essential travel. He said the measures were designed to protect the most vulnerable. "There is no more time," he said in a TV address.
Italy's coronavirus death toll jumped from 366 to 463 on Monday. It is the worst-hit country after China. The number of confirmed infection also increased by 24% from Sunday, official figures showed.
Support from WHO
During the debriefing with the Minister of Health and his team, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, reiterated WHO’s support to the country to overcome the challenges posed by the outbreak.
A nation-wide strategy and technical plans in key areas of work – surveillance, clinical management, infection prevention and control, and risk communication – are instrumental to structure the ongoing response. Strong coordination between all actors in charge of the response at central and regional levels is the basis of an effective response.
In a broader context, Italy can be a “knowledge-generating platform” on nCOV-19 within the scientific community. Another recommendation from the mission is to capitalize on the country’s transparent information-sharing and academic and research capacity, to build understanding of the virus and its behaviour, as well as confirm the effectiveness of response measures.
National lockdown
The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, announced the drastic measures at a press conference late on Monday, during which he told people to “stay at home” and banned all public gatherings. Conte announced that restrictions on travel and public gatherings initially imposed on northern regions on Sunday had been extended to cover the entire country.
“I am going to sign a decree that can be summarised as follows: I stay at home,” he said. “The whole of Italy will become a protected zone…There is no more time. I will take responsibility for these measures. Our future is in our hands,” he told reporters.
What if you did travel to an affected region: it is not the end of the world
Wash your hands thoroughly several times a day with soap or hand sanitizer; also, after contact with possibly contaminated surfaces such as door handles
Cough and sneeze in a tissue (to be thrown away after use + wash your hands) or if necessary, in the crook of the elbow (= more hygienic than in the hand)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid contact with people suffering from respiratory ailments, cough or fever or flu-like symptoms: keep at least 2 meters away and give up kissing and shaking hands.
Avoid crowds like sporting events or public transportation, department stores or markets, movie theater.
During the 14 days following your return: take care of your personal hygiene (wash and disinfect often the hands, sneeze in handkerchiefs or failing that the elbow) and avoid if possible the crowds.
If symptoms appear (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) during or up to 14 days after your return, stay at home / in your hotel room (do not go to public places) and contact a doctor or medical center by phone indicating your symptoms and the place visited. If necessary, consult him or the medical center while wearing a mask. There is no indication to do a diagnostic test in the absence of symptoms (because it would not exclude an infection).
For more information via our local teams:
Algeria (+216) 561-660-721
Belgium (+32) 23-19-64-13
Italy (+39) 642-272-173
Morocco (+216) 650-947-178
Tunisia (+216) 54-29-35-63
Switzerland (+216) 225-524-120
Useful resources :
https://www.ch.ch/fr/coronavirus/
http://www.safetravel.ch/safetravel2/servlet/ch.ofac.wv.wv203j.pages.Wv203ActualitesCtrl?action=init
