(Source: Deutsche Messe)
According to Deutsche Messe, the Hannover Region Health Authority had strongly recommended that it follow the advice of the Robert Koch Institute, which includes measures to safeguard health when hosting major events. For instance, fever measuring stations at all entrances and not allowing people from risk areas or those who have had contact with people from risk areas to enter the exhibition center. This would have entailed a comprehensive evaluation of all trade fair participants – from exhibitors and visitors to service providers, exhibit builders and catering companies.
Deutsche Messe says it would be unable to implement the proposed measures. In addition, the implementation would impair the staging of the event to such an extent that the event would not fulfill its purpose or would do so only with considerable restrictions for exhibitors and visitors.
"With the July date, we offer our exhibitors the earliest possible time slot to present their innovations to a global audience and to initiate business," said Jochen Köckler, chairman of the board of management of Deutsche Messe. "In view of the global economic challenges triggered by the coronavirus in the first half of the year, the new date offers great opportunities. Thus the world's most important industrial trade fair can provide important impetus for the global economy at an early stage."
"Today's decision by Deutsche Messe AG to postpone Hannover Messe comes at the right time," said Wolfgang Weber, chairman of the ZVEI management board. "As an internationally important industrial trade show, its USP is the gathering of people from all over the world. This can only happen if there are no health risks. Furthermore, it is important for the electrical industry to present its products for Industry 4.0, electrification and greater energy efficiency to the public this summer."
