Notes on the coronavirus for subsidiaries and foreign representatives of Messe Düsseldorf
Notes on the coronavirus for subsidiaries and foreign representatives of Messe Düsseldorf
Last updated: Corporate Communications, 03 Feb. 2020
The coronavirus is currently spreading worldwide and raises numerous questions. Most importantly: The risk of infection with the new pathogen in Germany is currently very low, according to the World Health Organization, Robert Koch Institute and the German
authorities.
Nevertheless, a team from various departments is working behind the scenes on preventive measures to enable all employees and guests on our premises to protect themselves as best as possible. As a precautionary measure, for example, Messe Düsseldorf provides additional hand disinfection dispensers and has shortened the cleaning intervals for toilets, washrooms and contact surfaces (including door handles,
handrails and switches).
Of course, we are currently receiving many external enquiries: as an international trade fair center, we are the focus of public attention. The following overview will show you how you can protect yourself, respond to enquiries and whom to contact if you have any questions:
• What is the coronavirus and how can I get infected?
For information on the Coronavirus contact the following official bodies:
o Robert-Koch-Institut
o World Health Organization (WHO)
• What is Messe Düsseldorf’s position on the Coronavirus?
Messe Düsseldorf attentively follows current developments maintaining direct contacts with the health authorities in this respect. The medical facilities at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre are constantly updated with information and are duly prepared. There are clear rules for treating persons suddenly developing symptoms of a serious illness. These were already established, tried and tested at the time of the outbreak of SARS, the New Influenza A/H1N1 and EHEC. As a precautionary measure, for example, additional hand disinfection stations have been installed and the cleaning intervals for contact surfaces have been shortened. Business trips of local staff from the Düsseldorf site to China have been suspended until 9 February 2020. Due to the close contacts maintained with all involved bodies we ensure that any new findings can be exchanged in the shortest timeframe and that information is relayed and measures are adjusted in a timely fashion.
• How high is the risk of infection at Messe Düsseldorf?
On the likelihood of an infection in the Federal Republic of Germany contact the RobertKoch-Institut. This institute currently rates the risk of infection as low. This assessment can change any time. Messe Düsseldorf is attentively following current developments, maintaining direct contacts with the health authorities in this respect. The medical facilities at the Exhibition Centre are constantly updated with information and duly prepared.
• How does the WHO's declared international health emergency affect the measures in Germany and at Messe Düsseldorf?
On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) established that the current outbreak of the novel corona virus in China is a "health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC). The WHO has made a number of recommendations for the affected and neighbouring countries to contain and control the outbreak. The classification has no direct consequences for Germany, as the WHO recommendations have already been fulfilled here.
• What concrete measures for prevention is Messe Düsseldorf undertaking?
Messe Düsseldorf provides its guests, partners and members of staff with hand disinfection dispensers in the toilets, washrooms, in the area in front of the trade fair doctor’s office/out-patient facility as well as at the entrance concourses.
Messe Düsseldorf has also shortened the cleaning intervals for toilets and washrooms. Contact surfaces (including door handles, handrails and switches) on doors, lifts, staircases and moving walkways are now cleaned daily.
Furthermore, Messe Düsseldorf informs all guests, partners and employees about hygiene and prevention tips made by the Federal Office for Health Education on posters.
• Do the air conditioning systems at Messe Düsseldorf have special virus filters?
The Messe Düsseldorf ventilation systems are not equipped with virus filters. We have no evidence of this virus being transmitted through ventilation systems. Statements by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Robert-Koch-Institut do not indicate this
transmission route.
• How do I protect myself? (also relevant for exhibitors, visitors, partners etc.)
The Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) recommends proper hand hygiene, compliance with the etiquette for coughing and sneezing and – if possible – keeping a 1m distance to ill persons. The BZgA has compiled the following recommendations:
• Wash hands regularly
o When you return home
o Before and while preparing food
o Before meals
o After visiting the toilet
o After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
o Before and after contact with ill persons
o After contact with animals
• Wash hands thoroughly
o Place your hands under running water
o Lather hands on all sides
o Take 20 to 30 seconds to do so
o Rinse hand under running water
o Dry hands with a clean towel
• Keep hands away from the face and avoid skin contact
o Don’t touch your mouth, eyes or nose with unwashed hands
o Temporarily forego embracing and shaking hands as a greeting
• Coughing and sneezing correctly
o Keep a distance and turn away from others when coughing and sneezing
o Use a handkerchief or place the crook of your arm over your mouth and nose
• Keep a distance when ill
o Cure the illness at home
o Forego close physical contact as long as you are infectious
o Stay in a separate room and use a separate toilet, if possible
o Do not share crockery or towels with others
• Protect wounds
o Cover wounds with a plaster or bandage
Messe Düsseldorf provides its guests, partners and members of staff with hand disinfection dispensers in the toilets, washrooms, in the area in front of the Messe doctor’s surgery/out-patient facility as well as at the entrance concourses.
Messe Düsseldorf has also shortened the cleaning intervals for toilets and washrooms. Contact surfaces (including door handles, handrails and switches) on doors, lifts, staircases and moving walkways are now cleaned daily.
• How do I respond to external enquiries about the Coronavirus?
Please only provide customers, partners and other guests at trade fairs with information based on our language rules and this Q&A. Please take special note here for talking to media representatives (see below) and your behaviour on Social Media (see below).
• How do I respond to journalists’ enquiries about the Coronavirus?
Media representatives will probably also ask you questions about the Coronavirus with
regards to Messe Düsseldorf. Please note that only authorised spokespeople are allowed to make statements for the media. Against this backdrop we would like to draw your attention to the following principles governing communication with journalists:
o Show understanding for the information needs of the media and public.
o Refer to Messe Düsseldorf Corporate Communications.
o Refer to your own role (“My task is to…”).
o Avoid escaping the situation/face up to the situation.
o Do not voice any speculations or personal interpretations.
The following formulations can help you when talking to journalists:
o “I am not your contact person. Please understand that I cannot provide you with any information on the incident.”
o “For more information please contact our Corporate Communications department.”
• How do I act on Social Media with regard to the Coronavirus and Messe Düsseldorf?
We expect great public interest. Please do not post anything on the Coronavirus in connection with Messe Düsseldorf on your private social media accounts. Communication on this is up to our colleagues at Corporate Communications, Press and Marketing Services.
• Are there any considerations to call off or cut short forthcoming trade fairs?
Messe Düsseldorf attentively follows current developments maintaining close contacts with the health authorities. There is currently no reason to call off or cut short forthcoming trade fairs. Due to the close contacts maintained with all involved bodies we ensure that any new findings can be exchanged in the shortest timeframe and that information is relayed and measures are adjusted in a timely fashion.
• Can Chinese exhibitors and visitors still travel to Düsseldorf?
Chinese exhibitors and visitors can continue to travel to Düsseldorf unless they come from the provinces affected by travel restrictions. For more detailed information on this contact the German Foreign Office.
The health authorities at Düsseldorf Airport as well as at the airports in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin are currently coordinating closely with the Robert-Koch-Institut and the German Ministry of Transport and have prepared information material for travellers arriving from China.
• How many Chinese exhibitors and visitors are expected to attend the forthcoming events?
At the leading international trade fairs of Messe Düsseldorf exhibitors and visitors from all over the world come together – also from China. At our own events in 2019 73% of exhibitors and 37% of visitors came from abroad. China accounted for the second largest group among exhibitors with 2,733 companies.
• How does Messe Düsseldorf respond if a case is suspected at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre?
The medical facilities at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre are constantly updated with information and duly prepared. There are clear rules for treating persons who suddenly develop symptoms of a serious illness. These were already established, tried and tested at the time of the outbreak of SARS, the New Influenza A/H1N1 and EHEC.
• How do I react when I am ill and/or in poor health?
If you have spent time in a risk region (e.g. Wuhan, China) over the past two weeks or had contact with a person affected by 2019-nCoV and develop symptoms such as fever and respiratory tract problems within the following two weeks you should see your doctor.
Announce your visit to the doctor’s surgery/hospital and mention that you were in the affected region or in contact with an ill person and are suffering from corresponding symptoms (e.g. fever).
• How do I react if colleagues/exhibitors/visitors/service providers/journalists etc., are obviously ill and/or in poor health?
Report persons suffering from acute breathing difficulties by dialling the emergency number (Messe emergency: +49 211 / 4560 – 111). Try to state – if known – whether the person concerned spent time in a risk region over the past two weeks or was in contact with a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV.
Require the concerned person to sit down and avoid direct physical contact. Try to keep a 1 m distance. Wait for emergency services to arrive – they will take over further care provision.
• Who should I contact in case of questions?
Emergency Management, Safety Measures
Emergency Officer (UT-NFB)
Edgar Federizzi
Tel.: +49 (0) 211 4560-317
E-Mail: FederizziE@messe-duesseldorf.de
Safety & Security (UT-S)
Head of Department: Markus Leuker
Tel.: +49 (0) 211 4560-322
E-Mail: LeukerM@messe-duesseldorf.de
Communication (Information of external staff, answering questions etc.)
Corporate Communications (VG-UK)
Head of Department: Dr. Andrea Gränzdörffer
Tel.: +49 (0) 211 4560-555
E-Mail: GraenzdoerfferA@messe-duesseldorf.de
Messe Doctor’s Office
Dr. med. Manuela Mattar-Diers
Tel.: +49 (0) 211 454 19 34
E-Mail: messepraxis@messepraxis-duesseldorf.de
Contact for Partners/Service Providers
Sales and Service (UT-VS)
Head of Department: Nora Wernick
Tel.: +49 (0) 211 4560-682
E-Mail: WernickA@messe-duesseldorf.de
Contact for Subsidiaries
International Business (VG-IB)
Director: Dr. Clemens Schütte
Tel.: +49 (0) 211 4560-530
E-Mail: SchuetteC@messe-duesseldorf.de
Contact person for SNIEC:
Jens Steinbach (-467, SteinbachJ@messe-duesseldorf.de)