The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company has given assurance to the ZITF exhibitors, visitors and other stakeholders that the novel coronavirus which has ravaged many countries across the world would not affect this year’s edition of the show. This follows the exhibition organiser’s decision to bar exhibitors from countries affected by the virus from participating in the show.
According to The Sunday Mail, the ZITF Company Acting General Manager, Nicholas Ndebele indicated that the company was working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care handling the situation.
“The coronavirus infection will not affect ZITF as no countries affected by the virus will be partaking at the event. We are not taking the virus lightly,” Ndebele was reported as having said.
“We have placed possible measures to ensure that the event will be safe as we have engaged the Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as ZIMRA to assist us in implementing safety precautions. They will be giving us updates on the virus and they will also ensure that every delegation that comes is screened and is safe,” the ZITF boss said.
ZITF’s decision to bar exhibitors from affected countries is set to affect exhibitors from Japan as the country is among the foreign countries that include Belarus, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania which have confirmed their participation.
ZITF’s decision agrees with the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) and the Society of Independent Show Organisers (SISO)’s joint statement of 19 February in which they encouraged organisers to work with health authorities and push for shows to go on in areas in countries that are not affected citing the need for exhibitions to continue contributing to the economies of their respective countries.
“Cancelling exhibitions right now actually damages the path to recovery after this outbreak, and it inflicts additional harm. Exhibitions and events are essential to millions of businesses around the world. Taking them away will cause severe economic impacts to these customers and regions,” read part of the statement.
ZITF is a member of the UFI.