Messe Düsseldorf outlines new corona protocols for drupa 2021

Messe Düsseldorf has released an extensive new hygiene and infection protection concept for drupa 2021, designed for executing a ‘safe and successful trade fair’ in the corona times. Major exhibitors including Heidelberg, Xerox, Bobst and manroland have all decided against taking part in next year’s drupa, which was postponed from June 2020 because of the pandemic. Wolfram Diener, CEO, Messe Düsseldorf, informs that they are ready for hygiene and infection protection standards ensuring absolute safety and health of exhibitors, visitors, partners and members of staff to be protected in the best possible way. Following the first border openings within Europe, the German Federal Government has gradually lifted the restrictions for entries from third countries since July 01, 2020.

As a matter of principle, the official distancing and hygiene rules shall be applicable at all the events held at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre. The rules include maintaining a minimum distance of 1.5 m, seeing to one’s own hand hygiene, wearing a face mask, following the sneeze etiquette and foregoing such welcoming rituals as shaking hands. If needed face masks will be handed out by service staff at the entrances and at the premises. Other measures outlined by the company include two-lane aisles, limits on visitor numbers and a ban on exhibitor stand parties. All forthcoming events at the Düsseldorf location will be subject to a limitation on persons present to ensure minimum distancing can be observed. Tickets will therefore be limited and only available online.