Zurich (AFP)
The Basel watch fair, which was to be held from April 30 to May 5, has been adjourned following a decision by the Swiss authorities to ban events gathering more than 1,000 people in the face of the coronavirus epidemic, organizers announced on Friday. .
MCH Group, the company hosting the event, has decided to postpone the event to next year, it said in a statement.
The measures imposed by the Swiss government are currently in force at least until March 15.
The decision to postpone the show, which was to be held after this date, was nevertheless taken "in order to protect the health" of the participants, said MCH Group, a company which also organizes Art Basel, the great contemporary art fair which held annually in June in Basel.
Friday, the Federal Council banned public and private demonstrations bringing together more than 1,000 people to limit the spread of the epidemic in Switzerland, where fifteen cases have been detected so far.
The decision led to serial cancellations of major events, including the Geneva Motor Show, where the booth assembly was almost complete. The event where 150 exhibitors were expected was scheduled from March 5 to 15.
The next edition of the Basel watch fair, which brings together major brands such as Rolex or Patek Philippe but also many jewelry professionals, will be held from January 28 to February 2, 2021, decided its organizers.
Thursday, even before the announcement of government measures, the Fondation de la haute horlogerie had announced the cancellation of the Geneva watch fair, which was to be held a few days earlier.
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