LogiMAT 2020 to go ahead in spite of virus fears

MUNICH, Germany – LogiMAT 2020, with more than 1,640 exhibitors, is scheduled to take place as planned, March 10–12, in Stuttgart in spite of the spread of COVID-19.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s central government agency responsible for disease control and prevention, has assessed the risk from the coronavirus to the health of the population in Germany as low to moderate. The local health authorities in Esslingen also see no heightened risk for exhibitors and visitors to the Messe Stuttgart convention centre and the events hosted there.

The latest information on the measures coordinated jointly with Messe Stuttgart on the basis of the instructions of local health authorities have been posted by the event organizer on the LogiMAT website under www.logimat-messe.de/en/coronavirus. Exhibitors and visitors alike can check the latest updates here daily.

Persons who have been in areas classified as “areas of risk” by RKI in the last 14 days may not enter the convention centre grounds for LogiMAT either during the event or during the setup and dismantling periods.

All exhibitors from such areas and countries have been notified of these measures and must disclose the relevant information in advance of LogiMAT. A total of 72 exhibitors have had to cancel so far (as of March 1), including seven from Italy and 41 from China.

In addition, event organizer EUROEXPO will join Messe Stuttgart in taking all necessary measures on site at the convention centre, which will go far beyond installing numerous dispensers for disinfectant. There will also be a vigorous campaign to clean and disinfect the facility, especially the restrooms, handrails, elevators, and (door) handles.

“As the organizer of LogiMAT, we support the current ‘no hands’ campaign to discourage the shaking of hands. In the current situation, this is not impolite, it’s just another cautious recommendation,” said LogiMAT exhibition director Michael Ruchty.

The German government’s coronavirus crisis management team decided on February 28 that large-scale events such as trade shows can generally continue as planned. Events must, however, first undergo a risk assessment based on a comprehensive RKI checklist of criteria. RKI is continuously assessing the current situation, evaluating all information, and estimating the risk to the population in Germany.

The decision as to whether to hold trade shows and large-scale events still falls to organizers in consultation with local health authorities. This policy was confirmed by the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA) in its latest announcement on “Trade Fairs in Germany: Coronavirus” last weekend.

“We are coordinating daily with Messe Stuttgart and local authorities. We are complying with the requirements and instructions of the local Office of Public Health in Esslingen and the Office of Public Order in Leinfelden-Echterdingen,” Ruchty explained.

“The Esslingen health authorities also confirmed to Messe Stuttgart and to us on Friday, February 28, that there are currently no concerns about holding LogiMAT 2020 or any other trade show in Stuttgart.”