Be Late, Be Safe; Basel Land Approves Police Drones; Leisure Businesses Receive Lifeline

News For 19 January 2021

The onset of winter seems to be overwhelming for some drivers, with the Basel canton police stopping and fining drivers for various snow-related violations.  Article 29 of the Road Traffic Act defines the safe and proper condition of vehicles in such a way that traffic rules are observed and drivers, passengers and other road users are not endangered.  Anyone who deliberately compromises operational safety and causes an accident, risks a prison sentence of up to three years under Article 93 of the SVG, and, in the event of negligence, can also be fined.  Police remind you to clear the bonnet, roof, windows, mirrors, license plates and all lights of snow, and say “it is better to arrive five minutes later than endanger yourself and others.”  If you've been pulled over by the police, you'll be on your way once the offending safety infractions are resolved.  However, you'll also likely be hearing from the public prosecutors office to pay the resulting fines.

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A new law passed by Canton Basel-Land will regulate technical aides the police force can use, including body cameras and drones.  The law is intended to help police catch and prosecute burglars. Drones are already in use all over Switzerland to combat crime, and Basel-Land issued a statement that their police force has to keep pace with technological advancements.  The drones will help police to surveil and record events.  The law is also intended to manage privacy concerns and restrictions that prevail in Switzerland.

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Basel Stadt has established a hardship fund for businesses affected by Covid restrictions.  Meant to address the specific economic impact of lock-down affecting Hotels, Restaurants, Fitness and Art Studios (among others), only 3.23 million of the 75 million Swiss Francs have been disbursed to date.  The hold-up is two-fold: a requirement by applicants to prepare financial statements which document the specific economic impact restrictions have had; and the requirement that Federal guidelines specifically call for the enterprise to be closed for 60 days.  The fund gets 1/3 of its resources from the Canton, and 2/3 from the Swiss federal government.