ITB Berlin 2020 to Take Place as Scheduled, Says Organizer

“There is no reason to restrict trade shows in Germany at the moment,” says the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA)

The ITB Berlin 2020 travel trade show will take place as planned between March 4-8, the exhibition’s organizer Messe Berlin said on Monday.

The organizer’s announcement comes at a time when the tourism and travel trade world are wondering whether or not the trade show would take place due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Underlining that the safety and health of the show’s attendees is its number one priority, Messe Berlin said that together with the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA), it is monitoring the situation very closely and in regular contact with the German health authorities and the German Ministry of Health.

Messe Berlin said that the risk to the health in Germany currently remains low, as the Federal Ministry of Health in Germany has, in line with the Robert Koch Institute, announced that there is no evidence of sustained viral circulation in Germany at present.

“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,” Messe Berlin assured.

According to AUMA, there is no reason to restrict trade shows in Germany at the moment. “Risk factors are defined as either a stay in the affected risk regions within the last 2 weeks or a contact with any person who has been tested positive for an infection with the COVID-19/coronavirus,” Messe Berlin said.

Moreover, Messe Berlin reminded that 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 travelers 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,” Messe Berlin said.

“To protect our exhibitors and visitors we are maintaining the additional cleaning and disinfection measures on the fairgrounds of Messe Berlin GmbH. In addition, everyone should follow the protective measures recommended by the Robert Koch Institute: wash hands frequently and thoroughly, observe sneezing and coughing, avoid shaking hands.”