Dear esteemed exhibitor,
With prior to the recent novel coronavirus (2019-n CoV) outbreak, as the organising committee of ADEX Asia Dive Expo, we would like to assure you that we are taking this matter firmly and are following and working closely with the relevant government advisories of Singapore with the latest updates on the status of this “international calamity”.
As reported widely, the outbreak has impacted many countries globally but with a deep concentration in China and some parts of Asia with Singapore affected as well. As established, the single biggest impact has been the near-complete evaporation of outbound Chinese tourism, but the tourism industry in Singapore (and indeed, the whole of Singapore) has rallied together in an extraordinary effort to keep Singapore healthy and safe.
The Singapore government is sparing no effort to safeguard the health of Singaporeans and our visitors thus the Ministry of Health, Singapore activated the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON)* alert levels as a guide as to when an enterprise will activate their business continuity measures and adopt measures to be ramped up or down, in line with the advisories issued by MOH and other government agencies.
As of Thursday, February 6, 2020, 2:22PM local time, the DORSCON status in Singapore is YELLOW, which means “minimal disruption” and the Ministry of Health Singapore has mandated that there is no evidence of widespread transmission in the community yet and have advised that large-scale events may proceed as planned**. Herewith, ADEX Ocean Vision 2020 in Singapore on April 17-19 at Suntec Singapore will continue as planned unless advised by the Singapore government and its multi-ministry taskforce to postpone the show if the novel coronavirus (2019-n CoV) outbreak situation escalated to RED.
The Singapore government and its Multi-Ministry Taskforce on the Wuhan Coronavirus has decided to take additional steps to contain nCoV:
Travel Restrictions
i) With effect from 1 February 2020, 2359h, all new visitors with recent travel history to mainland China (within the last 14 days) will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or to transit through Singapore. This applies to individuals regardless of their nationality.
ii) With immediate effect, the following returning groups will be issued an advisory for them to be placed on a 14-day leave of absence (LOA) from the day of their return from China:
The Ministry of Health (MOH) Singapore is closely monitoring the 2019 novel coronavirus situation. At present, Singapore has had a cluster of limited local transmission of the virus. Nevertheless, precautionary measures are encouraged to safeguarding the health and well-being of participants.
Precautionary measures for Large-Scale Events
i) Individuals who are unwell should not attend. They should avoid public spaces and contact with others, and instead seek medical attention. Any staff or participant who becomes unwell during the event should leave immediately to seek appropriate medical attention.
ii) Individuals placed on Leave of Absence (LOA) should not attend events. They are strongly advised to remain at home and minimise their time spent in public spaces.
iii) Individuals with recent travel history to mainland China, in particular, Hubei province, should not attend.
iv) Individuals who well do not need to wear masks.
v) Individuals should remain vigilant and practise good personal hygiene, such as washing their hands regularly, at all times.
Organisations/ event organisers may consider the following measures to further mitigate the potential risk of disease transmission during events:
i) Prominently display notices at entrances to an event, and during pre- or onsite registration, to remind participants not to attend the event if they are unwell, placed on LOA, or have recent travel history to mainland China, in particular, Hubei province, within the last 14 days.
ii) Deny entry to staff and participants who are unwell with fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath, individuals on LOA, and individuals with recent travel history to mainland China, in particular, Hubei province, within the last 14 days.
iii) Maintain a registration list of participants (if practicable).
iv) Ensure that event venues are ventilated and are adequately equipped with hygiene facilities (hand sanitisers, surgical masks, thermometer etc) e.g. at the entrance and washroom.
v) Temperature screening has been implemented at all our entry checkpoints, and all suspect cases will be referred to hospitals for further assessment and isolated as a precautionary measure.
vi) All medical practitioners will look out for suspect cases and maintain strict infection control and prevention measures.
We advised all exhibitors to be assured and any further updates mandated by the Singapore government that is related to the event status will be shared at the earliest. We thank you for your kind understanding and exhibitors who have already submitted and signed the ADEX Ocean Vision 2020 exhibitor contract, we encourage that you would honour and adhere the contract terms as indicated.
For more details on the Singapore government and its Multi-Ministry Taskforce on the Wuhan Coronavirus, kindly refer to the appendix attached.
We look forward to seeing you in April!
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
ADEX Asia Dive Expo
Organising Committee
For more details please click here to download the official letter.