On this occasion we would like to inform you about the current status of the assessment of the spread of the new respiratory disease from China in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute is continuously recording the current situation, evaluating all information and assessing the risk to the population in Germany. The risk to the health of the population in Germany currently remains low.

The classification by the WHO as a “health emergency with international implications” has no consequences for Germany, as the WHO recommendations have already been fulfilled.

The Ministry of Health also considers Germany to be well prepared for the occurrence of the new respiratory disease in this country. “In this situation it is important that the state and all state institutions function. We are working with the best possible, maximum transparency…and communicate assured findings… We have shown this in the past few days and we will continue to do so in the coming days”, said Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn.

Based on these official sources, we as organisers of the MUNICH FABRIC START have taken appropriate hygiene and precautionary measures. We would like to draw your attention to the following recommendations for action when visiting the fair:

• Besides shaking hands, also avoid hugging and kissing when greeting.
• Regularly wash hands with soap and warm water & use the disinfection dispenser.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, cough and sneeze in your elbow, not in your hand.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Dispose used tissues properly.
• If you have flu-like symptoms, please leave the event
• If you have flu-like symptoms, keep distance of at least 1m from other people.
• If you have flu-like symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately.

We have installed disinfectant dispensers at the entrances, in the foyer and in heavily frequented areas of the fair such as the entrances in the atrium. In addition, the frequency of cleaning measures with appropriately certified cleaning agents has been further increased. In addition, we have taken precautions for any medical care that may be necessary in suspicious cases.

As a trade fair organiser, we would like to emphasise that travel to our event in Munich is at your own risk and responsibility. Please make sure that your personal state of health and your travel plans comply with the relevant regulations, measures and recommendations of the local government and the Foreign Office in your home country.

We will continuously investigate and monitor the current status of further developments and take appropriate action should these be issued by the Federal Government, the WHO, the Robert Koch Institute or the Federal Foreign Office.

If you have any further questions, please contact us.