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Switzerland: Hundreds gather to celebrate carnival despite coronavirus measures

The Local
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Switzerland: Hundreds gather to celebrate carnival despite coronavirus measures
A file photo of carnival celebrations in pre-coronavirus times. Photo: MARIJAN MURAT / DPA / AFP

Over 1,000 people gathered to celebrate carnival in the Swiss town of Einsiedeln on Monday morning, despite strict coronavirus rules.

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The participants joined a parade - known as the Sühudiumzug - walking through the town at around 9:30am on Monday morning. 

 

 

 

 

One witness told Swiss news outlet 20 Minutes that half of those in attendance were not wearing masks or keeping two metres distance, while there was also heavy alcohol consumption. 

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Swiss media reported that the numbers seen at the celebration were comparable to normal years. 

 

Fasnacht, an annual tradition in the canton of Schwyz, has been banned across Switzerland this year due to the country’s coronavirus measures. 

 

 

 

Events are banned under Switzerland’s coronavirus measures, while people are not allowed to meet in groups larger than five people. 

Despite a heavy police presence, authorities declined to break up the gathering. 

A police spokesperson told Swiss media that the parade didn’t need to be broken up as it was not an official event. 

District councilor Patrick Notter told the Einsiedler Anzeiger newspaper: "It is important to somehow manage the balancing act between tradition, corona and responsibility".

 

Social media users were upset at the images, with many chastising the revellers for their irresponsibility. 

 

 

 

 

 

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