South African Tourism will leave no stone unturned in guaranteeing the safety and security of exhibitors, buyers, and patrons of this year’s Meetings Africa.
The event which is returning to the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg after a brief hiatus due to the Coronavirus pandemic will hold from February 28 to March 2.
In an interview with the Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB) Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, she said assuring prospective exhibitors and buyers of their health safety and security was of prime concern before deciding to put together Meetings Africa 2022.
“Before we made the decision to host the event we did go out to our buyers and exhibitors to ask them how they feel about Meetings Africa and Travel Indaba. We did a short survey on both events just to find out the confidence levels and honestly, people were saying that if we can prove that we will keep them safe – their personal safety – they will be more than willing to come,” she disclosed.
Besides cutting down on the number of exhibitors from over 300 in 2019, the last time it was organized, to half of the number, organisers have put together elaborate health protocols to forestall the possibility of Coronavirus spreading during the event.
COVID-19 Management Plan
• 1000 pax at a time inside a venue and 2000 for outdoor events
• 1,5-meter social distancing
• Wearing of masks compulsory both inside and outside of all venue, this included public spaces.
• For every 9 sqm stand a maximum of 3 people will be allowed at a time on the stand including the exhibitor.
• As a means to ensure you conduct business in a safer space, Meetings Africa attendees are required to present either a Vaccine Certificate or a valid negative PCR test before arrival in order to gain entry to the exhibition. Testing stations and a vaccination site will be available at the Meetings precinct.
• Screening at all entrances at the venue to be performed. This includes completing personal information and health check forms as well as temperature checks.
• Temperature checks will be done at any time during the show.
• An attendee not passing the health screening check at the entrance must be willing to undergo a full medical check which may include a COVID test. This will be done by a healthcare professional. Based on the outcome of the medical report, a decision will be made if the attendee may proceed to attend this show or not.
• Anyone with a temperature of 37,3 degrees Celsius and above will not be permitted to access the show or any event related to the show. The attendee must then be willing to undergo a full medical check which may include a COVID test. This will be done by a healthcare professional. Based on the outcome of the medical report, a decision will be made if the attendee may proceed to attend the show or not. On-site testing facilities will be made available.
• Should an attendee test positive at the event, isolation, track and trace processes will be followed.
• Covid Compliance Officers and Healthcare Professionals will be always visible at the event and are accessible to all attendees.
• While the show owners and organisers will, in good faith and to the best of their ability apply all means available to ensure a safe environment, we cannot guarantee that delegates will not be exposed to and/or contract COVID-19. All delegates, staff and crew undertake to participate at the trade show of their own volition and at their own risk. The show owners and organisers are indemnified against any risk, damages, or illness that may arise from attendance at the show, contact with participants or staff and at all show-related venues and activities. We commit to managing any incident with compassion and sensitivity.
