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Coronavirus: ITB ‘to take place as scheduled’

The organisers of global travel exhibition ITB in Berlin have confirmed that the show will be going ahead despite growing coronavirus concerns.

ITB is due to taken place on March 4-8, attracting exhibitors and visitors from around the world.

Around 10,000 organisations and companies from more than 180 countries are set to attend.

The organisers are are monitoring the coronavirus situation “very closely” and are in regular contact with the German health authorities and the German Ministry of Health.


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ITB said: “Please be assured that the safety and health of our show attendees is our number one priority.

“Should there be any changes to the current status, we will take account of any recommendations from the relevant federal and state authorities, and the municipal health authorities, and implement all appropriate instructions accordingly.”

There is no reason to restrict trade shows in the country, according to the German trade fair industry association AUMA.

ITB added: “Risk factors are defined as either a stay in the affected risk regions within the last two weeks or a contact with any person who has been tested positive for an infection with the COVID-19/coronavirus.

“There are no entry bans to Germany for citizens from China, Asia or Italy at the moment.

“The Extraordinary Council of EU health ministers states that air travellers might be asked before landing in Europe if they have been in risk regions or in contact with persons who have been tested positive for an infection with the COVID-19/coronavirus.

“To protect our exhibitors and visitors we are maintaining the additional cleaning and disinfection measures on the fairgrounds of [ITB venue] Messe Berlin.”

Attendees are also being encouraged to “wash hands frequently and thoroughly, observe sneezing and coughing, avoid shaking hands”.

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