World
Geneva Car Show, Basel Watch Fair Canceled as Virus Spreads
- Swiss government bans big gatherings to reduce risk of spread
- Financial consequences are ‘significant,’ tickets reimbursed
Workers stop preparations for the 90th Geneva International Motor Show on Feb. 28.
Photographer: Salvatore di Nolfi/Keystone via AP Photos
Two of Switzerland’s largest trade fairs fell victim to the coronavirus epidemic, with organizers of the Geneva International Motor Show and the Baselworld watch fair pulling the plug on this year’s salons as the outbreak spreads in Europe.
The car show, which was due to start Monday, was canceled as a force majeure after the Swiss government barred large gatherings, the organizers said in a statement Friday. Separately, the organizers of Baselworld said this year’s event, planned to start in April, is being postponed until 2021.