IHRSA 2020 Is On! Read the Latest Coronavirus Update
Posted: March 3, 2020 in IHRSA
IHRSA 2020
BOSTON, MA – IHRSA is looking forward to a great IHRSA 2020 in San Diego, proceeding as planned, March 18 – 21, 2020 at the San Diego Convention Center.
IHRSA is carefully monitoring developments related to coronavirus and will adhere to any policies put forth by the United States federal government. IHRSA is, therefore, following the Presidential Proclamation on travel restrictions. IHRSA will not be implementing any further restrictions beyond the Presidential Proclamation.
IHRSA executive staff are meeting daily and will continue to closely review all guidance from global, federal, and local health authorities to implement what is needed for the good of the show and the good of the industry.
IHRSA is committed to ensuring our response during this challenging time is responsibly based in facts, not driven by fear. The following are important and helpful resources to monitor as you finalize your travel plans.
- Daily Situation Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO);
- How Coronavirus Spreads – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
- Prevention and Treatment – CDC;
- Guarding Against Stigma Related to Coronavirus – CDC;
- Information for Travelers – CDC.
Our Work with Local Partners in San Diego
We continue to work with all show partners including our hotel venues and the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) to ensure that the safety of all show participants is the highest priority.
The city of San Diego is continuing to host successful trade events and other public gatherings daily, maintaining rigorous cleanliness and safety standards throughout public spaces, resorts, and meeting facilities.
According to the San Diego County Government Office, there have been no confirmed cases in San Diego. The two people treated for Covid-19 there were repatriated from Wuhan, China to San Diego hospitals. The county is monitoring 141 people. A total of 390 people have been monitored, and 249 have completed their monitoring period.
Safety Provisions Onsite at IHRSA 2020
IHRSA is working closely with federal and local health authorities and the San Diego Convention Center to ensure we are well prepared to hold a safe and productive show in San Diego. We are implementing appropriate measures which include:
- IHRSA and the SDCC are providing plentiful hand sanitizing stations;
- The SDCC has increased measures to prevent respiratory infections (like colds, flu, or coronavirus) including increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces such as door handles and handrails;
- There will be plentiful posted signage to remind attendees of these common hygiene precautions;
- Regular hand washing with soap (for at least 20 seconds) or alcohol-based solution (at least 60% alcohol);
- Covering coughing or sneezing with a tissue or elbow (not your hand);
- Avoiding touching of eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
- Limiting contact with people who are sick, and staying home if you are sick;
- Public health messaging shared before the event and prominently displayed onsite during the event;
- Strengthened personal hygiene provisions for all show participants;
- Rigorous environmental sanitization and increased availability of disinfectants;
- Upgraded medical support onsite.
During the event, IHRSA will encourage a no-contact policy, such as no handshakes, hugs or kisses. It is also suggested you use the app, and take photos or scans of badges rather than exchange business cards.
Impact on IHRSA 2020 Show Participation
Our thoughts are with all the members of our community who are affected by the coronavirus and cannot join us this year due to the Presidential Travel ban. We are in contact with the exhibitors and attendees who are impacted by travel restrictions and are working with them on options in the absence of being able to attend in 2020. With the exception of these extraordinary cases, we are not seeing any unusual cancellations from exhibitors. Likewise, our attendee registrations continue to pace with the normal patterns we see year-over-year.
