02/28/2020 - 13:13
- Clarín.com
- Cars
The organizers of the Geneva Motor Show, one of the main exhibitions of the automotive industry, confirmed the cancellation of the 90th edition, scheduled from March 5 to 15, because of the measures taken by Switzerland to combat the Coronavirus epidemic ( COVID-19).
Olivier Rihs (left) and Maurice Turrettini right, authorities of the organization of the exhibition, announce the cancellation of the 2020 edition. (Photo: EFE / EPA / SALVATORE DI NOLFI
"We regret this situation, but the health of all participants and exhibitors is our priority," the organization said in a statement, explaining that the decision was made following the federal order, announced today (Friday, February 28), which prohibits all events with more than a thousand people until March 15.
"It is a cause of force majeure, and although it represents a tremendous loss for the manufacturers, who had invested massively to be in Geneva, we understand the decision," the president of the foundation responsible for organizing the car show said in the statement, Maurice Turrettini.
The Geneva Motor Show is another important event that is suspended in the Swiss city by the Coronavirus. The Hall of Inventions had already been canceled. EFE / EPA / SALVATORE DI NOLFI
The organizers had insisted until the last moment, both in previous press conferences and in official communiqués, that the room would remain standing, but with strong controls on the exhibitors from affected areas.
However, the picture worsened in recent days when important sources of COVID-19 transmission were known in Italy, the origin of many visitors and brands participating in the event.
The cancellation was confirmed just minutes after the Federal Council (Swiss Government) announced the ban for two weeks of all mass events in the country with more than a thousand attendees, in order to combat the epidemic of Coronavirus that in the nation Central European affects 15 people for now.
Workers leave their jobs in the Geneva Palexpo, after confirming the suspension of the car show that was due to open the doors on March 5. (Photo: EFE / EPA / SALVATORE DI NOLFI)
The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the Executive, which declared that Switzerland is in a "special situation" that justifies this type of measure, in application of the legislation on epidemics.
The hall was to be held at the Exhibition Pavilion (Palexpo) in Geneva, where the Hall of Inventions had been previously canceled, another important annual event for the city on the banks of Lake Geneva.
Source: EFE