Hallmark events on the verge of cancellation

Some of the events so popular in Europe might not take place this year due to coronavirus.

Markus Soeder, Minister President of of the southern German Free State of Bavaria, said that due to COVID-19 pandemic, it is ‘unlikely’ that annual Oktoberfest will take place this year.
The annual Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, where revelers sit together at long communal tables, attracts around six million visitors to Munich every year, with many traveling from abroad.

Soeder told reporters he was very skeptical whether this year’s festival – scheduled from September 19 to October 4 – could take place. He will make a final decision with Mayor Dieter Reiter in the next two weeks.

The German government and regional state governors agreed on Wednesday to start relaxing some of the lockdown rules introduced last month to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Big events will remain banned until August 31.

After French president Emmanuel Macron banned all large public gatherings in the country until at least July 11, the legendary annual cycling race, Tour de France, was pushed back to August from its usual start date in June.

But a health experts say that the logistics of the large-scale race would further the spread of COVID-19 virus epidemic throughout France, potentially leading to further lockdown measures being announced by the end of summer. They are of opinion that French officials have ‘no choice’ but to cancel the Tour de France given the significant risk to public health it represents.

MMP
photo: Pixabay