Posted by Michael Wonder on 04 Apr 2020
Swiss Government expands powers to force firms to make supplies to fight COVID-19
3 April 2020 - The Swiss government on Friday boosted its powers to order companies to raise production of critical medical supplies like drugs and protective gear should more be needed in the fight against coronavirus-caused COVID-19.
"If the supply...cannot be guaranteed otherwise, the Federal Council (cabinet) may oblige manufacturers to manufacture important medical goods, to prioritise the production of such goods or to increase the production quantities," according to an order from Bern.
The expanded authority comes as the government doubled the size of its coronavirus emergency loan scheme to 40 billion Swiss francs ($40.94 billion) after being flooded by requests for help by businesses. The nation's coronavirus deaths are nearing 500, with total confirmed infections approaching 20,000.
