Update 24 March 2020, 10:30:
We are shocked by the extension of the measure announced by the government in the press conference of 23 March and we think it is important to stay in touch with our exhibitors and visitors about the consequences for Empack Utrecht. In the press conference of 23 March, the Dutch government announced that all meetings in the Netherlands will be banned until 1 June. Although Empack does not fall during this period after the move, we closely monitor developments. In doing so, we started working behind the scenes with a backup plan, should it become clear that the new date (23, 24 and 25 June 2020) is still not reliable because of the coronavirus. There is no alternative date available yet and moreover, there are a number of other questions that we do not yet have an answer to, but which are obviously hard work on. We will inform our exhibitors at first opportunity of any new developments.
Update 10 March 2020, 10.30 am: With great interest, we attended the press conference of our prime minister and the RIVM yesterday evening. The statement “we rely on sensible advice” is how we have looked at it all the time. As the prime minister also indicated, it is in everyone’s interest that we leave these decisions to the specialists / virologists. “We are a sober people and not sensitive to symbolic measures,” says Rutte. And that is also what we hear from many other exhibitors. For the time being, no advice has been issued that planned events in the Noord-Brabant region or elsewhere cannot take place. Rutte also indicated that there should be as little cancellation as possible, but that it is about “customization” how to deal with this per event. We are therefore working hard on this in the interest of the industry, our own staff and especially our visitors.
Update 9 March 2020, 11.00 am: There is currently no change with regard to possible threat of the corona virus with regard to Empack 2020. This means that Empack 2020 will continue as usual. You can be sure that we take the situation very seriously and closely follow the developments with regard to the corona virus. We will, of course, maintain close contact with specialized bodies, such as RIVM and GGD. We use the guidelines from these bodies as a starting point for precautionary measures to be taken. The contacts and carefulness of all processes at these authorities give us the confidence that the right steps are being taken and advice is given. In the meantime, we feel enormously supported by the involvement and loyalty of both exhibitors and visitors. We are confident that this edition of Empack will be successful. Precisely because we, together with everyone involved, put our shoulders to the wheel and form a unity. The motto “together we are strong” makes you more than true, that does us a great job.
Update 5 March 2020: update from Jaarbeurs regarding coronavirus measures:
- Extra effort of a cleaning staff during the fair. These employees will be used on top of the standard cleaning and will take care of cleaning the flat surfaces at the toilets.
- In the central axis, advice will be given on the screens, as provided by RIVM.
Update March 3, 2020: After the crisis meeting on corona virus in the Netherlands, Prime Minister Rutte has created clarity around large-scale events: “Above all, daily life must continue as usual. We do not cancel major events. ” Easyfairs follows the advice of the Dutch government and specialized agencies. That means that all scholarships continue.
We keep a close eye on current events. In the meantime we see that the pre-registrations among visitors to our fairs and events are in line with the previous editions. The actual turnout is also the same as last year, according to the latest edition of our Bakkersvak trade fair (1, 2 and 3 March 2020) in Evenementenhal Gorinchem.
Update March 2, 2020: Empack 2020 will continue as usual. We closely follow the developments around the corona virus and follow the advice of the Dutch government and specialized agencies such as the RIVM and the GGD. There is currently no reason to cancel the event or move it to a later moment.
Update February 25, 2020: As a trade fair organizer, Easyfairs has taken a number of light preventive measures with regard to the corona virus. These precautions include more intensive toilet cleaning during the opening days and the placement of disinfectant gel at various locations. We take these preventative measures, because the well-being and safety of our customers, visitors, exhibitors, employees and other people present are paramount. We are also in close contact with specialized bodies, including RIVM and GGD. Furthermore, we are not currently taking any additional actions, but we are keeping a close eye on current events.
In addition, we advise our customers, visitors, exhibitors, employees and other attendees the following:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or disinfectant gel
- Cover the nose and mouth with tissues or the inside of your elbow when you cough or have to sneeze
- Avoid contact with people who have flu symptoms
- We advise visitors to use the smart badge * instead of shaking hands
* Every visitor receives a badge upon arrival in which a special chip is incorporated: the smart badge. With this badge the visitor can scan the information on the stands of the exhibitors. After the exhibition visit, the visitor receives an e-mail with an overview of all exhibitors he or she scanned. We use hostesses during our trade fairs and events that will help visitors to use the smart badge.
