Boston, MA—Amid an ever-changing scenario in Boston, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority this morning issued new advisories for ongoing and upcoming meetings and conventions in the city. As of 12:45 p.m. EDT, a ‘shelter in place’ order remained in effect in the City of Boston, including the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.
Activities already underway prior to the Governor’s order to ‘shelter in place’ were allowed to continue, including move-in for the Experimental Biology 2013 Annual Meeting and sessions in progress for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s Annual Meeting (ASCA).
The Boston Comic Con yesterday asked that no one bring any “real or prop weapons” to the upcoming event, and suggested that attendees not bring bags or backpacks into the convention center. Organizers also advised attendees to refrain from wearing masks—a hallmark of Comic Con events—outside the convention center.
Current information from Massachusetts Convention Center Authority for events in process or scheduled this weekend includes:
- Attendees and exhibitors in the facilities were advised to stay put and continue with scheduled events; anyone en route would be allowed access after screening. Anyone not en route should not attempt to access convention facilities at this time.
- Registration for the Experimental Biology 2013 Annual Meeting, set to start at 1 p.m., was delayed and attendees and exhibitors were advised not to come to the convention center at this time. Registration can be completed at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront and Westin Boston Waterfront hotels.
- Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s Annual Meeting activities are continuing for those already on site. Updates will be provided concerning events scheduled for this evening. Move-out activities are temporarily suspended.
- Move-in for Boston ComicCon is delayed, but officials are hopeful the eve nt will open tomorrow as scheduled.
- In all cases, contractor labor and staff already in the convention center buildings may continue with their activities.
- Taxi service between Logan International Airport and area hotels has been restored.
With most transportation shut down in the Boston area as the manhunt for the remaining suspect continues, show organizers were monitoring the situation and posting updates on websites. As of 11:30 a.m. EDT today, the Experimental Biology show had not revised the post advising people to continue with their plans to attend, but those who had not yet arrived at the convention center by that time are likely to be delayed by the ‘shelter in place’ order.
In a media statement, Jim Rooney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, said the MCCA was doing its best to offer “ongoing, frequent instructions and tactical information throughout this ‘shelter in place’ order.” Rooney added that all decisions at this time are made “in the interest of public safety and we are aware that this may cause inconvenience and event disruption.”
