GSMA Details Coronavirus Prevention Measures for MWC Barcelona

The GSMA has issued a second statement on the coronavirus, detailing some of the steps the organization is taking to ensure the health and safety of visitors at upcoming MWC events. Most notably, the GSMA insisted that the recent outbreak will have a minimal impact on this month’s MWC Barcelona, and that all currently scheduled activities will proceed as planned.

Despite those assurances, the GSMA is nevertheless taking extra precautions to ensure a safe environment. For example, the GSMA is increasing the frequency with which it will clean and disinfect washrooms, handrails, catering areas, touch screens, and other heavily-used public touchpoints. It will also provide people with access to sanitary materials, and raise the amount of onsite medical support.

Those concrete measures will be deployed alongside a broader education campaign. The GSMA will post information online and on signs at MWC venues, and provide staff and exhibitors with training on preventative best practices, including tips about sanitation and personal hygiene. That information will be shared with Barcelona establishments like hotels, restaurants, and transportation hubs to further raise awareness about the virus.

The GSMA is encouraging guests to adopt a no-handshake policy to further reduce the threat of transmission. It will provide speakers with fresh (and sterile) microphones for the same reason.

In its previous statement, the GSMA indicated that it will follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Spanish and Chinese governments. It will similarly respect any travel restrictions that have been put in place to stop the spread of the virus.

MWC Barcelona will run from February 24-27. The theme for this year’s event is “Limitless Intelligent Connectivity.”