They demanded a say in the government's measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. "Stop corona mania," said a placard carried by a protesters.
Mask-wearing is not as prevalent in Switzerland as it is in neighboring Italy or France. It is not compulsory in public transport, and only a few shops require customers to wear masks.
"I don't want my kids to have to walk around with protective masks. I don't want to be told if I can visit my grandma or not," social worker Nadja Sedlak said. Gatherings of more than five people are banned in Switzerland, despite the gradual easing of lockdown measures since early May. Social distancing of two metres is also recommended.
An hour after the gathering, police asked the protesters to disperse and escorted some away from the Sechselaeuten square. Switzerland recorded 58 new coronavirus cases on Saturday (May 16), bringing the total to 30,572 cases. The death toll is 1,602.