MACEOS advisory to business events industry players: In response to the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) (Part 1/2)

At the same time, those in the business events (BE) industry are taking proactive steps to the right thing by preparing and advising clients appropriately as ultimately, it is our responsibility to help our industry to recover from this situation. We, the business events industry, want to balance between doing business together and looking after the wellbeing of our client, delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, visitors and members of the public and keeping the authorities informed as and when needed.

The information is current as of today but may change as circumstances change. For the latest and best update, please refer to the Ministry of Health Malaysia website and their guidelines or call +603-8881 0200 / 600 /700 or email cprc@moh.gov.my for the latest information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
[Business Events Organisers]

1. SHOULD I CANCEL MY EVENTS OR POSTPONE MY EVENTS?
Based on current updates by the Malaysian government, there is no advisory from them concerning the cancellation of events due to the Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV). Should you or your client decide to consider either of the above options, our recommendation is to postpone the business event rather than cancel it. The final decision is based on your company and client’s own discretion.

2. SHOULD I OFFER REFUNDS TO DELEGATES, SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS?
As there are no advisory from the Malaysian government concerning cancellation of events due to the Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV), the decision of cancellation or postponement of your event will be based on your company policy(ies) with your client(s), hence the same should be exercised based on your policies & agreements.

3. WHAT PRECAUTIONARY STEPS SHOULD I TAKE FOR MY EVENTS?
Work together with your venue operators to provide adequate signages to remind individuals to practice good personal hygiene, set-up adequate hand sanitizers and make available face masks in case individuals or staff have a need for it.

Venue operators should be providing increased level and frequency of cleaning services to maintain a high level of hygiene and cleanliness.

Note that at this moment, the government has not issued any advisory that members of the public are required to wear face masks at all times.

There is also no advisory that temperature screening at public places is mandatory at this point in time. For updated advisories on the Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV), please refer to the Ministry of Health Malaysia website http://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/2019-ncov-wuhan-guidelines.

4. WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY EMPLOYEES?
If your employees experience any symptoms of the flu, they should be allowed to stay at home and work from home (if they are fit to) for 14 days and isolate themselves. They may refer to this guideline on how to care for themselves: http://www.moh.gov.my/moh/2019-nCoV Home_Assessment_Tool.pdf

If the employee suspects infection by 2019-nCoV due to signs of:

1. the person experiencing fever AND clinical sign/symptoms suggestive of pneumonia; or
2. severe respiratory infection with breathlessness AND has history of travelling to or residing in Mainland China within the last 14 days; or
3. close contact with a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV.

He or she should go straight to the nearest Ministry of Health hospital which is designated to screen and handle the Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV). The relevant hospitals are listed in the link below:
http://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/2019-COV/Annex_3_Senarai_Hospital_for_nCoV_2020.pdf

If your employee went to a GP or any other hospital (private or government) and the Doctor confirms he or she has suspected 2019-nCoV, he or she will be taken via ambulance to the nearest designated Ministry of Health hospital for the screening of the 2019-nCoV.

Note: The important hospitals for both screening and treatment of 2019-nCoV nearest to convention centres in Kuala Lumpur are:-

• Hospital Kuala Lumpur                            (Tel: +603-2615 5555)
• University Malaya Medical Centre           (Tel: +603-7949 4422)
• Hospital Sungai Buloh                             (Tel: +603-6145 4333)

5. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A SUSPECTED CASE OR CONFIRMED CASE THAT ATTENDED MY EVENT?
If you are in Kuala Lumpur, refer the case directly to the nearest designated hospitals by the Ministry of Health which are:-

• Hospital Kuala Lumpur                            (Tel: +603-2615 5555)
• University Malaya Medical Centre           (Tel: +603-7949 4422)
• Hospital Sungai Buloh                             (Tel: +603-6145 4333)

The Ministry of Health has in place a system and protocol to look after all individuals who came in close contact with a confirmed case (following the definition of close contact guidelines):

• Working together in close proximity or sharing the same classroom environment with a 2019-nCoV patient
• Travelling together with a 2019-nCoV patient in any kind of conveyance

6. HOW DO I MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON MY DELEGATES, SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS?
Assure your clients, delegates, sponsors, exhibitors and visitors that as a responsible event organiser and venue operator you are keeping abreast of the latest updates from the government and monitoring the situation closely. You are also taking proactive measures to ensure the health of your delegates, sponsors, exhibitors and visitors and employees.

Above all, we should remain calm and base our decisions on scientific facts and wait for official announcements. Reiterate that Malaysia is a safe and conducive place to travel for business events as we do not want to discourage international attendees from travelling to our events.

Should you choose to follow the suggestions we have shared, it is entirely at your own discretion and MACEOS is not responsible for any decisions made and outcomes henceforth.

• First Industry Advisory – released on 1 February 2020 (read)
• Second Industry Advisory – released on 4 February 2020 (read)