Coronavirus latest: Baselworld Cancels 2020 Show after Swiss Ban on Crowds

(IDEX Online) - Baselworld, the largest watch and jewelry event in the world, has been forced to cancel its 2020 event because of coronavirus.

Organizers said it had no option and was re-scheduling the show for January 2021.

Last year Baselworld 2019 attracted 81,000 visitors, down by more than a fifth on the previous year.

The cancellation also follows a ban by Swiss authorities on any gathering of over 1,000 people, which will remain in force until 15 March at the earliest.

It also comes after the cancellation of Watches & Wonders Geneva, which had been due to take place in April, also due to coronavirus.

Baselworld, which describes itself as "the annual must-attend trade show where discerning buyers", had been due to open on 30 April and work on building stands for the six-day show had been due to start this coming week.

In a statement organizers said: "Baselworld, which was to be held from April 30th to May 5th , 2020, has taken this difficult decision in close consultation with its partners and the health authorities in charge, in whom Baselworld has full confidence for their expertise and recommendations for the benefit of exhibitors, visitors and collaborators.

Michel Loris-Melikoff, managing director of Baselworld said: "By postponing the show to January 2021, we have found a solution that enables the industry and all our customers to avoid losing a full year and at the same time reset their calendars for the beginning of the year, a period that is conductive to the presentation of their new products, new trends and order taking."