Smaller crowds, more fireworks: How Swiss National Day will be celebrated in corona times
Switzerland’s national day is just over a week away. But how will the holiday be celebrated in the pandemic?
People across Switzerland will be busy brunching, lunching and setting off fireworks on August 1st as the country celebrates its national day.
But with the coronavirus pandemic in the background, how different will the holiday look?
Early signs are that while large events with crowds will be avoided, fireworks sales indicate the day is set to go off with a bang.
In Pictures: How Switzerland celebrated Swiss National Day in style
Speaking with Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes, fireworks dealers are expecting sales to be up to 40 percent higher than usual.
A spokesperson for fireworks distributor Weco Suisse said pre-orders for many of Switzerland’s largest fireworks retailers were up on previous years.
READ: Why Switzerland celebrates its national day on August 1st
“The big celebrations are canceled due to the ban on major events. However, many do not want to do without the August 1st fireworks and therefore privately stock up on volcanoes, rockets and batteries,” said Franklin Herz.
“We expect a real fireworks boom”.
Herz pointed to a similar holiday - the United States’ Independence Day on July 1st - as evidence.
“The situation there on the occasion of the national holiday on July 4 was very similar - and sales increased by 40 percent."
Not only are many of the larger, council-run events cancelled this year, but large gatherings are banned across the country.
READ: More Swiss cantons reintroduce coronavirus lockdown measures
Events with more than 300 people are prohibited across the country, while some cantons restricted gatherings to 100 people.
Everything you need to know about Switzerland's National Day:
- Why Switzerland celebrates its national day on August 1st
- Ten brilliant ways to celebrate Swiss National Day
- Swiss National Day: 20 key dates in Switzerland's history
- Swiss National Day: five traditions all expats should try
- Ten amazing places to be on Swiss National Day
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People across Switzerland will be busy brunching, lunching and setting off fireworks on August 1st as the country celebrates its national day.
But with the coronavirus pandemic in the background, how different will the holiday look?
Early signs are that while large events with crowds will be avoided, fireworks sales indicate the day is set to go off with a bang.
In Pictures: How Switzerland celebrated Swiss National Day in style
Speaking with Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes, fireworks dealers are expecting sales to be up to 40 percent higher than usual.
A spokesperson for fireworks distributor Weco Suisse said pre-orders for many of Switzerland’s largest fireworks retailers were up on previous years.
READ: Why Switzerland celebrates its national day on August 1st
“The big celebrations are canceled due to the ban on major events. However, many do not want to do without the August 1st fireworks and therefore privately stock up on volcanoes, rockets and batteries,” said Franklin Herz.
“We expect a real fireworks boom”.
Herz pointed to a similar holiday - the United States’ Independence Day on July 1st - as evidence.
“The situation there on the occasion of the national holiday on July 4 was very similar - and sales increased by 40 percent."
Not only are many of the larger, council-run events cancelled this year, but large gatherings are banned across the country.
READ: More Swiss cantons reintroduce coronavirus lockdown measures
Events with more than 300 people are prohibited across the country, while some cantons restricted gatherings to 100 people.
Everything you need to know about Switzerland's National Day:
- Why Switzerland celebrates its national day on August 1st
- Ten brilliant ways to celebrate Swiss National Day
- Swiss National Day: 20 key dates in Switzerland's history
- Swiss National Day: five traditions all expats should try
- Ten amazing places to be on Swiss National Day
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