Complete cultural lockdown?

As the cultural sector is once again unable to comment on the measures currently under discussion, the Taskforce Culture on December 9 with a letter to the Federal Council. The six key points and the list of current gaps in support are quoted below:

"1 We welcome the fact that the federal government is taking the reins again. However, we also expect this with regard to compensation. We have been calling for a uniform policy throughout Switzerland to deal with this crisis since the beginning. In fact, from the Federal Council's point of view, the extraordinary situation is apparently prevailing again. The Federal Council should also formally adopt it and act accordingly.

2) In the diverse Swiss cultural sector, the question of a lockdown is being discussed in the same way as in other affected economic sectors, such as ski resorts or the Federal Council: some would like to continue offering culture even with many conditions and restrictions, while many others are already ruling themselves out because cost-covering events are no longer possible under these circumstances.

3. but one thing is clear: in the event of a further cultural lockdown, suitable support measures must be accessible to all cultural players without restrictions. We already pointed out last week that this is not possible with the current Covid-19 pandemic.
law is not the case. These loopholes must now be closed. Also
The federal government must take the reins here. The limits of federalism are clearly evident in the implementation of support measures.

4 At present, the cantons are apparently invited to propose new support measures that they consider necessary. Once again, we regret that the sectors affected are unable to comment on this, even though they are probably best placed to know what measures would help them.

5. we continue to miss at least a medium-term strategy from the Federal Council for future measures (e.g. according to defined levels of measures) and for the resumption of cultural activities. Even if it is unclear how the figures will develop, the Swiss cultural sector, the Swiss economy and the Swiss population need clearer announcements instead of a weekly adrenaline rush at the Federal Council's press conferences.

6 Part of such a strategy must also be a revitalization fund that ensures full indemnification in the event of the cancellation of cultural events. Otherwise, nothing will be planned and culture will no longer get off the ground. For example, the German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announced in the Daily Mirror a state takeover of the costs for all events that are planned for the second half of 2021 but have to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Loss compensation also for cultural workersNumerous cultural professionals work on commissions and contracts for the private sector. In these contractual relationships, there is no cultural enterprise that can or wants to demand compensation for loss of earnings and pay compensation for loss of earnings. Legal disputes over the interpretation of contracts are the result! At the same time, the budget for compensation has not been used up by a long way.
   
• Lowering the hurdles for coronavirus income replacement for the self-employed: If the self-employed only receive income compensation from a loss of turnover of 55%, this firstly sets the wrong incentives (namely to maintain the highest possible loss of turnover) and secondly penalizes the low-income earners. Here too, the federal government would have the means to support micro-entrepreneurs and lower the hurdles.
   
• Hardship compensation for cultural enterprises: According to the will of Parliament, an entitlement to loss of earnings compensation excludes the possibility of supplementary (not double) hardship compensation. This is problematic because the compensation often only covers a small part of the loss. Even if all existing aid has been claimed, many cultural enterprises are left with losses.
   
• Increase in Short-time working compensation for low earners (100% instead of only 80%)
   
• Unemployment insurance: Extension of the framework period to four years for the receipt of benefits and for the contribution period for employees in fixed-term employment and with frequently changing employers."