Swiss cultural institutions stayed open longer during early COVID-19

While Italy imposed strict lockdown measures, Switzerland kept museums, galleries, and theaters open until March 13, 2020, when the Federal Council ordered closures of schools, public events, and entertainment venues across all 26 cantons. The Canton Ticino's list of closed venues included libraries, archives, cinemas, theaters, museums, sports centers, and erotic clubs. The Opera House Zurich limited performances to 900 spectators after the ban on events with over 1,000 participants on February 28. The Fondation Beyeler in Basel stated on its homepage that the museum was not affected by the ban on public events and that local authorities saw no reason to close it. Galleries worldwide reacted differently: Tiwany Contemporary in London canceled a private view, A Gentil Carioca in Rio de Janeiro and Galería Elba Benítez in Madrid opened by appointment only, while Mindy Solomon Gallery in Miami, Galerie Templon and Galerie Anne de Villepoix in Paris proceeded with openings. Galerie Eva Presenhuber inaugurated a show in Zurich. Hauser & Wirth temporarily closed its New York and Los Angeles galleries on March 13 but kept London, Somerset, and Zurich locations open. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health clarified that causing panic by coughing in someone's face is not a crime under Swiss law.