UFI – the global association for the exhibition industry – has published a framework aimed at the safe and controlled reopening of exhibitions and B2B trade events around the world.

The framework has been put together by a taskforce of partners and industry leaders. “The ability of associations to lead and help foster discussion and debate across whole industries makes us central to a crisis such as the outbreak of Covid-19,” said UFI president Mary Larkin.

The framework includes roughly 30 items that suggest how an exhibition can run safely and covers areas including: personnel and personal safety; physical distancing; increased health and safety regulations; the implementation of crowd control; and the encouragement and enforcement regulations – all before, during, and after the event respectively.

As Germany slowly reopens its economy, the government and 16 Länder states have agreed that exhibitions and trade fairs should not be classified as ‘mass gatherings’. In principle, exhibitions could resume under strict health and safety-controlled conditions, according to UFI.

The association added that the decision to give the go ahead for a show would lie with the respective state. North Rhine-Westphalia, for instance, has stated that it intends to allow topical trade shows and congresses to run from May 30, 2020.

Mass gatherings – including large sporting events, concerts, fetes and festivals etc. – will likely remain prohibited in Germany until at least August 31, 2020.

www.ufi.org/coronavirus

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