Fespa to ban Chinese visitors from global show

Fespa Global will turn away any visitors from China that do not have documented proof they have been out of the country for at least two weeks prior to the big wide format show in Madrid next month in response to the ongoing coronavirus issue.

Fespa will also demand exhibition staff from China provide documented evidence that they have been out of the country for at least two weeks prior to their entry to the Madrid expo centre for the show, which runs March 24-27.

In a four-month period that will see three huge shows in the printing and packaging fields – Fespa in March, interpack in May, and drupa in June – the shadow of the coronavirus has started to loom large.

Neither inerpack nor drupa has yet commented on any measures they may take, but it will be the number-one item on the agenda of the organisers who expect hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, including a sizeable contingent from China itself.

Already trade shows in China have been cancelled, including a couple of big sign shows. The All in Print commercial print show scheduled for October in Shanghai is currently holding its breath and hoping the scare has faded by then.

Fespa is in contact with all exhibitors and pre-registered visitors at the Madrid 2020 exhibitions to advise them of these measures, and to request that they should not attend if they have visited China or been in residence there after 5 March.

The organiser is taking steps to up its preventative measures, with two medical centres to be on site, and hand sanitisers liberally placed around the halls.

Fespa CEO Neil Felton comments: “By taking this proactive step with regard to our exhibiting companies to China, our aim is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of every participant at our Fespa 2020 events to the best of our abilities, while also providing strong reassurance to our exhibitor and visitor communities. We look forward to a vibrant and successful event in Madrid in March.”