Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 will go ahead as planned although there are concerns regarding the coronavirus. With the top exhibitors like LG, ZTE and Ericsson pulling out of the conference, the authorities undertook a series of measures to counter the virus.

Although Spain is still safe from coronavirus which is wreaking havoc in China with more than 700 deaths and thousands under monitoring, the organisers are taking no chances. In a press release, GSMA reassured the attendees that it is working with the government agencies while urging the visitors to implement appropriate guidelines suggested by the World Health Organisation.

Safety measures at MWC 2020 to prevent Coronavirus spread

The safety measures are as follows:

• Travellers from the Hubei province will not be allowed to attend the event.
• Chinese attendees will have to show documents to prove that they were outside the country for 14 days prior to the event.
• Temperature screening at the event.
• Attendees will have to self-certify that they did not come in contact with anyone infected with the virus.
• The medical staff has been doubled.
• Availability of appropriate sanitising and disinfectant materials for public use.
• No handshake policy will be implemented at the event.
• Exhibitors have been advised to clean and disinfect the stands. Besides, they have been given guidance on preventive behaviour and common preventive behaviour.
• A 24-hour telephone medical and security service will be installed from 12th to 29th February.
• New signage is being installed onsite that will remind the attendees on best hygiene practices.

As per a report by The Verge, all the Chinese manufacturers — Xiaomi, Huawei, Vivo and Honor plan to attend the event alongwith the companies like Qualcomm, Lenovo and Motorola. But it should not come as a surprise if others pull out of the event as well.

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