Summer Plan: four steps towards a more normal life

Today, the federal government and the federated entities convened the Consultative Committee to decide on a broad Summer Plan. This plan facilitates a return to a more normal life in four steps.

Provided that the number of beds in intensive care occupied by COVID-19 patients continues to trend towards a maximum of 500 and that the vaccination campaign continues as planned, the Summer Plan will involve four important steps.

Step 1. From 9 June 2021

Provided that 8 out of 10 vulnerable people (over 65s and all adults with underlying conditions) are protected with a target maximum threshold of 500 beds in intensive care occupied by COVID-19 patients.

  •  Each family can accommodate 4 people indoors (not including children).

  • Teleworking remains mandatory, with 1 day in the office per week. There are never more than 20% of the employees present at the same time (or a maximum of 5 people in SMEs with less than 10 employees). Testing is highly recommended.

  • The catering industry will reopen indoors between 8am and 10pm. The maximum number of people per table is 4 or one household per table. A distance of least 1.5 meters must be maintained between tables.

  •  Outdoor catering establishments will be able to remain open until 11.30pm instead of 10pm. The table rules will remain the same: 4 people or one household per table and a distance of 1.5 meters between tables.

  •  The rules for indoor and outdoor catering establishments will continue to evolve during the summer months. The Consultative Committee will lay down the rules.

  • Events (e.g. cultural performances, shows or sports competitions) can take place.

    • Indoors: up to 200 people or 75% of the room capacity, seated, with face masks and at a safe distance from each other.
    • Outdoors: up to 400 people, with face masks and at a safe distance from each other.
  • Non-professional sports: up to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors (except for contact sports).

  • Youth activities, camps and social activities: up to 50 people, without an overnight stay. Pre-testing is highly recommended.

  • Parties and receptions: up to 50 people indoors. For the remainder, they must follow the rules for the catering industry.

  • Ceremonies, weddings and funerals: up to 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors. If there is room capacity according to the CIRM, the rules for events apply.

  • Fairs and non-professional bric-a-brac and flea markets will also be able to take place again. They must be organised according to the same rules as for markets.

  • Fitness centres can reopen with ventilation protocols and the mandatory use of a visible air quality meter.

  •  Public saunas, jacuzzis, steam rooms and hammams may reopen.

  • Cinemas, bowling alleys, casinos, fruit machine halls and bookmakers may reopen with ventilation protocols. This is also the case for indoor areas of nature parks, zoos and amusement parks as well as indoor playgrounds, indoor recreation, tropical swimming pools and unmanned tanning beds.

  • Door-to-door sales is permitted again, as are the activities of sex workers.

  • Protests and demonstrations: up to 100 people, with a pre-arranged route.           

The Ministerial Order, together with the relevant sector protocols, will determine the minimum rules.

 

Step 2. From 1 July 2021

  • Provided that 6 out of 10 adults have had their first vaccine, the number of hospital admissions show a favourable trend and a target maximum threshold of 500 beds in intensive care occupied by COVID-19 patients has been met.

  • Teleworking will no longer be mandatory but will still be recommended, as will regular testing.

  • No more restrictions when shopping.

  • Non-professional sports without restrictions.

  • Events (e.g. cultural performances, shows or sports competitions) can take place:

    •  Indoors: up to 2,000 people or 80% of the room capacity (CIRM), seated, with face masks and at a safe distance from each other.
    • Outdoors: up to 2.500 people, with face masks and at a safe distance from each other.
  • Youth activities, camps and social activities: up to 100 people, with an overnight stay permitted. Pre-testing is highly recommended.

  • Ceremonies, weddings and funerals: up to 200 people indoors or 400 people outdoors.

  • Parties and receptions: up to 100 people indoors. For the remainder, they must follow the rules for the catering industry.

Step 3. From 30 July 2021

Provided that 7 out of 10 adults have had their first vaccine, the number of hospital admissions show a favourable trend and a target maximum threshold of 500 beds in intensive care occupied by COVID-19 patients has been met.

  • Events (e.g. cultural performances, shows or sports competitions) can take place:

    • Indoors: up to 3,000 people or 100% of the room capacity (CIRM), with face mask and at a safe distance from each others.
    • Outdoors: up to 5,000 people.  As of 13 August, outdoor mass events are allowed upon presentation of proof of vaccination or a recent negative PCR test.
  • Trade fairs will be allowed, according to the rules for other companies providing goods and services.

  • Parties and receptions: up to 250 people indoors. For the remainder, they must follow the rules for the catering industry.

  • Youth activities, camps and social activities: up to 200 people with an overnight stay permitted. Pre-testing is highly recommended.

The Ministerial Order, together with the relevant sector protocols, will determine the minimum rules.

Step 3. From 1 September 2021

Provided that 7 out of 10 adults have had their first vaccine, the number of hospital admissions show a favourable trend and a target maximum threshold of 500 beds in intensive care occupied by COVID-19 patients has been met.

  • Events (e.g. cultural performances, shows or sports competitions) can take place:

    • Indoors: to be determined.
    • Outdoors: to be determined.
  •  Mass events (indoors and out) will be allowed upon presentation of proof of vaccination or a recent negative PCR test.

  • Youth activities, camps and social activities: no restrictions. Pre-testing is highly recommended.

  • Marriages, funerals and worship services: no restrictions.

  • Parties and receptions: without restrictions indoors. For the remainder, they must follow the rules for the catering industry.

  • Markets, fairs, non-professional bric-a-brac and flea markets: no restrictions.

The Ministerial Order, together with the relevant sector protocols, will determine the minimum rules.

Importance of ventilation and vaccination

This broad Summer Plan can only be fully implemented if we maintain control in our hospitals, especially in intensive care units. Therefore, following the basic rules is very important. Especially by ensuring proper ventilation.

Along with keeping a safe distance and wearing a face mask, ventilation is the best way to stay healthy.

Open the windows as much as possible: at home, at school and at work. It’s a small effort but it saves lives.

And last but not least: get vaccinated!

More people protected by vaccination means less worry and, most importantly, more freedom.

 

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