Baselworld organiser lodges complaint

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Messe Schweiz, organiser of the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery fair, has launched a formal protest over the actions of Switzerland's Federal Office for Public Health

On the eve of this year's show, the Office issued a decree stating that visitors from Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and China would be barred from staffing their companies stands during the exhibition, to minimise the risk of spreading the SARS virus.

The decision affected 394 firms at the show, and seriously compromised proceedings at the exhibition's new additional venue in Zürich, where the majority of the affected companies were due to exhibit. Although delegates were not permitted to work, they were allowed to visit the show a decision that heightened the confusion surrounding the situation.

Messe Schweiz believes that, while the SARS outbreak carried a theoretical threat to delegates, the measure made no contribution whatsoever to the protection of the population. The company also contends that the decision violated federal law and was unreasonable, restricting Messe Schweiz's commercial freedom. The company is also considering lodging an appeal for damages.