Type of Intervention: Executive Order
Sectors Involved: Executive Office, Transport, Civil Defence, Immigration
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Adapting or closing offices, businesses, institutions, and operations; International travel measures
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Federal Council, Swiss Federal Office of Public Health
Overview: At an extraordinary meeting today, 16 March 2020, the Federal Council took the decision to introduce more stringent measures to protect the public. It has declared that an ‘extraordinary situation’ now exists in Switzerland in terms of the Epidemics Act. All shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment and leisure facilities will remain closed until 19 April. Not affected by the new ruling are food stores and healthcare institutions. As of midnight, it is also introducing checks on the borders to Germany, Austria and France. The Federal Council has also authorised the deployment of up to 8000 members of the armed forces to assist the cantons at hospitals and with logistics and security.
Extraordinary situation is the (highest level of crisis alert) all power with federal executive. The army will be mobilised, borders are being closed (Switzerland belongs to Schengen Raum where usually all borders remain open)
Full details here: https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-78454.html
Other links: 1
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee, Scientific Evidence (e.g. academic paper, report)
Source of Evidence or Justification: World Health Organisation, National – academic, National – government, International – academic