Cancelled are the Geneva Auto Show (600k+ guests), Basel Fasnacht (carnival), and many other popular events (concerts and sporting events) with more than 1000 people.
Remember when they banned Chinese exhibitors from Basel World[1] during the SARS crisis?
There was a hell of a lot of "Bloody Murder! That's such an over reaction!" going for that.
I was not so sure at that time. Ultimately (and mind you, it was a super painful decision and to describe the Chinese and Hong Kong delegation as royally pissed and offended would be a massive under-exaggeration) I figured that the BAG (health authority) was doomed whatever they decided. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
But since the situation could have ultimately run out of control I thought the decision was right.
I also think so in this case. Even though, it's hard core and will be very unpopular with a lot of the public (let alone 20 Minuten commenters).
[1] The most important watch and jewelry exhibition in the world, at least it was at the time. Hong Kong was the most important foreign exhibitor
I was looking forward to it, but I understand the decision. I can't really imagine a worse scenario than thousands of exhausted, coughing people in tight spaces for a virus like this. Also terrible for volunteers, which might get into close contact with hundreds or thousands of participants during the day.
Meanwhile, the largest cross country skiing event in the world, the Vasaloppet in Sweden, still looks like it's on this Sunday.
In the press conference was said, that currently, they are worried about large events, where people are very near to each other for quite some time. But large train stations, like in Zurich, Bern or Basel, are not yet affected.
Also border controls do not seem to be affected. There are many people crossing borders to Italy or Germany for work by car or train.
All in all, I think the swiss government reacts very reasonably. But I also think that containing the spread already seems out of the question.
(This was a joke)
Another cultural thing affecting virus is when it's not considered appropriate to stay home with cold or other diseases, rather you're expected to work, of course spreading virus to everyone else. I've heard about Japan, but probably there are plenty of other countries with similar approach.
Obligatory commonplace: History doesn't repeat, but it rhymes!
[1] https://www.srf.ch/news/regional/basel-baselland/als-der-wel...
This ain't true based on few web checks, for now they decided to go on (although I believe they will cancel eventually as cases ramp up in following days). I wanted to go like every year since its in my backyard and it takes 20 min bus ride, but not under these conditions.
Sources: [1][2]
[1] https://www.thelocal.ch/20200228/switzerland-bans-all-major-... [2] google etc.
The federal government announced all events with more than 1000 people involved cancelled till 15th of March. It just cannot go on.