In July 2020, Christian Gartmann founded the “Corona II Engadin” task force consisting of companies from the region and senior employees of the destination organization Engadin St. Moritz. She set herself the goal of helping Upper Engadine get through the pandemic. The group was active until 2022.
At the invitation of the task force, the municipalities of the entire Engadin and the southern valleys (Val Bregaglia, Valposchiavo, Val Müstair) as well as the destination organization Engadin Scuol/Samnaun/Val Müstair and other destinations in Grisons also met with it.
A mutual exchange took place on a project/topic basis with those responsible from the Canton of Grisons (KFS cantonal management staff, health department). However, the task force never saw itself as a regional management team.
In spring 2022, after 58 meetings with municipalities, 84 newsletters to companies and tourism service providers and around 20 media releases, the task force suspended its activities for the time being. It continues to monitor the course of the pandemic.
Scenarios, situation assessments and prospects
For the task force, Christian Gartmann developed handbooks with scenarios relating to the respective winter and summer seasons. They helped providers in the region prepare for possible pandemic developments and train their employees.
Every week, the management of the task force provided information on the
- Current health care situation in Upper Engadin
- Case figures (location in Switzerland/abroad)
- Measures (Switzerland/abroad)
- Current situation developments
- Current task force activity
- Communities' concerns
- the relevant developments in the coming weeks
A weekly newsletter provided relevant information on the development of the pandemic and protective regulations and an outlook on the upcoming weeks. It was published 84 times and was read by up to 3,000 people.
If necessary, the management of the task force coordinated between service providers, municipalities and cantonal authorities.
Active support services
In addition to regular information activities and dialogue with municipalities, the task force provided situational support services:
- Supporting the cantonal testing strategy
- Area test in Südbünden (December 2020)
- St. Moritz eruption test (January 2021)
- Support for cantonal operational tests (April 2021-February 2022)
- Development of a protection concept for municipalities with mountain railwaysA municipal protection concept was a condition of operating permits for mountain railways in winter. The task force developed a protection concept. It was adopted by several municipalities.
- Helping test and vaccination centers and service providers to launch and publicize their work among service providers and in the media.
- Support for communities, destinations and companies in event and crisis communication
- Criticism of the opening of ski areas
- Premiere for area testing
- Outbreak clusters in St. Moritz in January
- Further situational media advice and media relations (for destinations, companies, support of interests in the region)
Contribution to positive public perception
The task force published reports on the current situation and activities or to support the concerns of its partners.
April 22, 2022 | “Corona II Engadin” task force concludes activity
February 18, 2022 | Last weeks of operation for the St. Moritz vaccination center
February 11, 2022 | A success for working together
January 14, 2022 | From the crux to pool tests
January 7, 2022 | An avalanche called Omicron
December 28, 2021 | Omikron is here — with us too
December 23, 2021 | About the turtle and the tapeworm from the weaving room
July 29, 2021 | (K) a reason to celebrate: One year of the “Corona II Engadin” task force
July 2, 2021 | Federal scenarios: Considerations for Graubünden
March 25, 2021 | Seven factors determine our tourism during the pandemic
February 24, 2021 | Closing ski terraces is counterproductive
January 21, 2021 | The test strategy works - but it needs everyone's support
November 29, 2020 | Ski holidays and skiing are not the same as après-ski parties
November 18, 2020 | The Engadin is preparing for winter with corona
The work of the task force itself was positively addressed in the media and by the public. It was thus able to make a tangible contribution to the overall positive perception of crisis management in Grisons, South Bünden and the Maloja region.
The management of the cantonal management staff (KFS) also welcomed the work of the task force, as its boss Martin Bühler publicly emphasized several times.
outlay
The main expenditure for the task force's work was carried out by the destination organization Engadin St. Moritz Tourism AG worn. In addition to financial expenses, she took on around half of the work through her employees. The municipalities of the Maloja region contributed around a third of the total expenditure. Individual municipalities in the Bernina and Engiadina Bassa/Val Müstair regions made solidarity contributions to the task force's expenses.
Head of Taskforce Corona II Engadin
Jan Steiner, Engadin Brand Manager, Engadin St. Moritz Tourism AG
jan.steiner@estm.ch | +41 79 686 91 91
Christian Gartmann, Project Manager Taskforce/Municipalities Coordination
christian@gartmann.biz | +41 79 355 78 78
