This website is no longer updated

The Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force was dissolved on 31 March 2022.

It has been replaced by the Scientific Advisory Panel to ensure that the cantons and the Confederation can continue to benefit from scientific expertise in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

This website is therefore no longer updated, but its content remains accessible as an archive.

10 May 2020 – Policy Brief

Economic Considerations of Test-Isolate-Trace-Quarantine (TITQ)

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Financial and legal protections for affected individuals are necessary for a successful Test-Isolate-Trace-Quarantine (TITQ) strategy.

Executive summary

Testing and quarantining both have private as well as social costs and benefits. This note explains these trade-offs and derives implications for (a) the mechanism to allocate the costs of testing, and (b) the provision of income for those confined to quarantine. As a unified TITQ strategy is in the public interest also for economic reasons, the federal government could act as a single payer. Moreoever, individuals confined to quarantine need to be financially and legally protected to strengthen compliance with the measures.

Date of request: 
Date of response: 10/5/2020

In response to request from: NCS-TF

Comment on planned updates: 

Expert groups and individuals involved: Economics

Contact persons: Monika.Buetler@unisg.ch (inputs by economics and other expert groups)

This website is no longer updated

The Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force was dissolved on 31 March 2022.

It has been replaced by the Scientific Advisory Panel to ensure that the cantons and the Confederation can continue to benefit from scientific expertise in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

This website is therefore no longer updated, but its content remains accessible as an archive.