GSMA STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS
Press Releases
Post date
February 4, 2020
04 February 2020, London: The GSMA continues to monitor and assess the potential impact of the Coronavirus on its MWC20 events held annually in Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles and as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences. The GSMA confirms that there is minimal impact on the event thus far. MWC Barcelona 24-27 February 2020, will proceed as planned, across all venues at Fira Gran Via Fira Montjuïc and La Farga L’Hospitalet, including YoMo and Four Years From Now (4YFN).
As previously stated, the GSMA has implemented many measures to help to mitigate the spread of the virus and is continuing to add other actions regularly. Measures in place include;
- Increased cleaning and disinfection programme across all high-volume touchpoints, e.g. catering areas, surfaces, handrails, WCs, entrances/exits, public touch-screens, etc. along with the use of correct cleaning/sanitising materials and products
- Increased onsite medical support
- Awareness campaign via online and onsite info-share and signage
- Availability of sanitising and disinfection materials for public use
- Awareness and training to all staff and associates on standard personal preventative measures, e.g. personal hygiene, frequency of use of sanitising/disinfection products, etc.
- Advice to exhibitors on implementing effective cleaning and disinfection of stands, offices along with guidance on personal hygiene measures and common preventive behaviour
- Public health guidelines and advice communication to Barcelona hotels, public and private transport, restaurants and catering outlets, retail, etc.
Measures added this week include;
- Installing new signage onsite reminding attendees of hygiene recommendations
- Implementing a mic change protocol in production for speakers
- Communicating advice to all attendees to adopt a ‘no-handshake policy’
The GSMA is building on its existing plans to protect the health of our attendees, clients and staff at MWC Barcelona. GSMA colleagues around the world are taking strong measures to contain and lessen any further spread of the virus. These measures include adhering to advice from the WHO and other health authorities, respecting travel restrictions where they exist, arriving early in Spain to allow time for self-quarantine and ensuring access to masks.
Up-to-date WHO advice and facts can be found here: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance “
Spain, the City of Barcelona and the GSMA look forward to welcoming you at MWC Barcelona 2020. The show will inspire! We believe a connected world is a better world. Come get connected.
Further updates from the GSMA, answers to the most frequently asked questions and an outline of the measures that have been implemented, are on our website and can be found on www.mwcbarcelona.com.
-ENDS-
Translation
Chinese
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile
operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 companies
in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software
companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations
in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC
events held annually in Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles, as well as the
Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.
Media Contacts:
GSMA Press Office
[email protected]
FAQ
General
general2
MWC Barcelona is recognised as the mobile industry’s must-attend event and welcomes executives from the world’s largest and most influential, media and entertainment organisations, and government delegations from across the globe.
The WHO has stressed that restricting the movement of people and goods during public health emergencies may be ineffective. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said:
“There is no reason for measures that unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade. WHO doesn’t recommend limiting trade and movement. We call on all countries to implement decisions that are evidence-based and consistent.”
Outbreaks of Corona novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern but must always be viewed in context. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention estimates of the cumulative in-season numbers of flu illnesses, medical visits, hospitalisations, and deaths just in the United States are as follows:

*www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm
The upcoming MWC Barcelona event will proceed as planned, 24-27 February 2020, across all venues at Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjuïc, including YoMo and Four Years From Now (4YFN).
Event Support
support
The GSMA, through our partner Fira de Barcelona, has a close relationship with the Spanish Immigration service and all MWC attendees, when requesting a Visa Invitation, are given special recognition by Spanish embassies, consulates and visa issuing agencies worldwide. It is important to note that we have to abide by the host nation’s immigration laws and guidelines and cannot overrule decisions or outcomes of any individual’s application.
See Registration FAQs for more information on visa invitation letters: https://register.mwcbarcelona.com/help
We suggest you contact your hotel provider for information relating to their specific cancellation & amendment policy. The process for substituting one attendee with another is outlined in Registration FAQs: https://register.mwcbarcelona.com/help
Medical Assistance
medical
At present, there is no requirement to provide any health certification for travel between China and Spain (excluding travel from any of the affected areas) and no additional documentation is required. However, we advise that all travellers consult their respective government’s travel advice and secure the correct visas, etc. well in advance of their travel date.
The GSMA will provide increased onsite medical support and facilities in the run-up to and during the event.
Yes, GSMA will have a provision of face masks on site for those wishing to use them. As stocks may be limited and supplied on a first come first served basis, we also recommend you bring your own onsite.
Current advice from local and national health authorities is that there is no requirement for health screening. We will continue to monitor the situation and act according to any changes. For information on Barcelona airport, see www.aeropuertobarcelona-elprat.com/
Changes to my Participation
participation
Please refer to our ‘Standard Terms and Conditions for Exhibition, Advertising, and Sponsorship’ for conditions related to the insurance you have purchased – specifically clause 19 relates to insurance, and the associated Summary of Exhibition Insurance Coverage gives detail of the cover provided and all exclusions. We also advise that you look at your own company insurance policy.


