Bar Closed For Breaking Rules; FCB Resumes Training; Supermarket Workers Get Bonuses

News For 26 May 2020

The Basel department of health has ordered the Bücheli Caffée Bar Lounge in the city's nightlife center of Steinen closed indefinitely.  The managers of the nightclub said they had been notified by mail that they were to remain closed for violating noise regulations.  However, most people agree that the noise violations were cover for the fact that most night-life establishments in the Steinen neighborhood were over run with party-goers this past weekend when the COVID-19 confinement rules were relaxed.  Management went a step further on social media to vent their frustration at being the only bar ordered shut, when the photographs from last weekend showed revelers lining the street from end-to-end.

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FC Basel fans can rejoice to know that their hometown club resumed training sessions last Monday at the St. Jakob's sport facility.  The league has yet to decide if games will resume in June, when it is likely that the stadium will NOT be open to spectators. Mr. Rene Bonk, Deputy Head of Security for the football club, shared details around planned security and health measures.  Players are now subject to an extended regimen of frequent health monitoring to contain any potential contagion.  Training facilities are also regularly disinfected and once spectators are allowed back in the stadium, extended disinfection points will be made available along with reduced seating.

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Swiss supermarket chains Migros and Coop will pay every employee that worked during the lock-down a bonus of CHF 500.  The payment is meant to recognize the extraordinary effort of employees.  The bonus structure is further subdivided into those that worked 1/2 time or less receiving 250 CHF and those working more than 50% receiving CHF 500.