PARIS – UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently released a case study on what safety measures one South Korean expo took at its show post-COVID-19 lockdown.
As the South Korean government relaxed its social distancing campaign on May 6, the Korea International Exhibition Center, or KINTEX, opened its doors to the 53rd MBC Construction Expo. Held from May 8-11 and organized by PEO Dong-A-Fairs, the show went on with safeguards in place to protect the show from COVID-19.
KINTEX offers more than 108,000㎡ of exhibition space and has meeting rooms. Located in Goyang, South Korea, it is about 23 kilometers from Seoul.
The UFI study reports that the show shrank from five halls to two halls, but that more than 45,000 attended this year; a decrease from 100,000 in 2019.
Also according to the study, Dong-A-Fairs and KINTEX agreed to establish a thorough set of contingency measures. To see the full report, click here: http://blog.ufi.org/2020/05/15/case-study-learnings-from-kintex-hosting-the-first-exhibition-held-in-south-korea-after-covid-19/
Here is a list of measures taken as stated from the UFI study:
Venue Entrance (controlled by Venue)
- Thermal imaging cameras & facial recognition thermometers
- Hand sanitizers, disinfection doormats, plastic gloves
- Individuals showing signs of fever or illness immediately directed to containment facility
Lobby Area (controlled by Venue)
- Entry line installed at 1.5m intervals on the floor
- Quarantine and disinfection work conducted once and twice a day, resPEOtively
- 100% external air intake and air conditioning conducted
Hall Entrance (controlled by PEO and Venue)
- A second body temperature measurement by non-contact thermometer
- Admission permitted following use of hand sanitizer and wearing of plastic gloves which had been distributed
- Emergency room and medical staff on site
Inside Hall (controlled by PEO)
- All visitors: Required to wear masks and plastic gloves
- All exhibitors: Required to wear face shields that cover the entire face
- Wearing of plastic gloves and masks checked by staff circulating through the hall
- One-way traffic line induction
- Acrylic screens installed on tables in the business meeting area and the cafeteria
- Space between booths maximized (separated by minimum of 4m)
- Video teleconference systems enable exhibitors to remotely consult with overseas buyers unable to attend the event
- Quarantine and disinfection work conducted once and twice a day, resPEOtively
- 100% external air intake and air conditioning conducted
Hall Exit (controlled by PEO)
- Anti-disposal waste collection box for disposal of used plastic gloves
- Outside Venue (controlled by Venue)
- Ambulances on standby to transfer patients with signs of fever/illness
- Realtime cooperation system with local authorities and nearby hospitals
One individual with a fever was identified at the entrance of the venue throughout the event and immediately moved to a containment area where his body temperature was taken again and found to be normal.
