Switzerland is considering jailing anyone who heats rooms above 19C for up to three years if the country is forced to ration gas because of the Ukraine war
- The country could also impose fines of up to 3,000 Swiss francs (£2,667).
- In gas heated buildings, water could not be heated above 60°C (140°F).
- Radiant heaters would be banned and saunas and swimming pools would have to be cold
- It is likely that the proposed measures will be the subject of challenges and disputes
Switzerland is considering jailing anyone who heats its rooms above 19 degrees for up to three years if the country is forced to ration gas over the Ukraine war.
The country could also impose fines on those violating the proposed new regulations.
Speaking to Blick, Markus Sporndli, spokesman for the Federal Department of Finance, explained that the daily penalty could start at 30 Swiss francs (£26).
He added that the maximum fine could be up to 3,000 Swiss francs (£2,667).
And companies that deliberately exceed their gas quotas face penalties.
In addition, according to the possible measures, temperatures in gas-heated buildings must not exceed 19 °C (66.2 °F), with water heated to 60 °C (140 °F).
Blick also reported that radiant heaters are not allowed and saunas and swimming pools must remain cold.
In addition, according to the possible measures, temperatures in gas-heated buildings must not exceed 19 °C (66.2 °F), with the water being heated to 60 °C (140 °F) (stock image).
The measures are laid down in the Federal Act on National Economic Supply, to which the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (EAER) refers in an official document.
It was predicted that the proposed new measures could lead to challenges and disputes, keeping the courts busy and the government dealing with a new “grey area”, the report said.
With regard to the possible new measures, the Swiss cantons have until September 22 to raise concerns.
The proposed new measures were predicted to lead to challenges and disputes, keeping the courts busy and the government facing a new “grey area,” according to the report (stock image).
The report tells the government that senior police officer Fredy Fassler has instructed it to “order only measures that can be implemented and, most importantly, controlled”.
And he said the proposed new measures should be implemented with a sense of proportion, stressing that he didn’t think police should go door-to-door.
Citing the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, Mr Fassler said there had been a “culture of denunciation,” according to the report.
“We are not a police state,” said SVP Economy Minister Guy Parmelin last Wednesday. He believes that the police can randomly check whether people are complying.
Mr. Fassler recommended that it might be cheaper to discuss imposing administrative penalties rather than shelling out expensive criminal proceedings.
