BANGKOK, 18 May 2020 Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau launches its MICE Venue Hygiene Guidelines for event organisers and venues as the Thai government eases Covid-19 lockdown measures.
TCEB president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said a government committee was working on measures and practices to allow the reopening of businesses and resumption of travel and sports activities was now underway.
A member of that committee, TCEB has now compiled its MICE Venue Hygiene Guidelines in collaboration with the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association, the Thai Exhibition Association, Event Management Association and the Thai Hotels Association.
There are five key measures on hygiene and public safety established by the Ministry of Public Health that must be followed when hosting events.
1) Limit attendees (1 person per 2 square-metre space).
2) Body temperature screening (use of a track and trace app).
3) Distancing practice at the venues such as the meeting room, elevator, restrooms, restaurants and canteens.
4) An efficient tracking system in case a delegate becomes ill after visiting the venue
5) Queuing system with the separation of waiting areas before entering the venue.”
The MICE Venue Hygiene Guidelines have three key practices: pre-event, onsite and post-event.
Pre-event practices
They involve preparedness of staff, transport, setting up of screening point, self-screening application or website for attendees to feedback within 24 hours before the event. A manual is included on the permitted attendees and instructions on holding large scale activities, hygiene instruction for attendees.
Onsite practices
They focus on the use of IT to mitigate risks, the arrangement of venue to reduce touchpoints and regular cleaning of touchpoints. It involves scanning a QR code for registration and participation in a satisfaction survey. There are tips on reducing delegate congestion, improving room layout for better ventilation, two-metre distanced seating, microphone set up at different points and regular cleaning routines during and after an event.
In the case of speakers invited from a location outside of the host city, the attendees must be informed of safety measures taken to reduce incoming risks, such as shuttle service for speakers or providing accommodation near the venue for the speakers.
Advance booking technology for visiting exhibiting booths to lower crowds or virtual exhibition technology should be employed to create experiences for those waiting in the queue. The online platform should be developed for product booking or purchase.
Post-event practices
They include the employment of a waste management system that can prevent infection, producing a report on event organisation for concerned authorities in accordance with the announcements of the government’s Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
