As we are completing the March issue the corona virus outbreak continues to have an impact on a global scale – disrupting travel and slowing manufacturing operations worldwide.

Two major trade shows – the Middle East Coatings Show and Paint India – have announced that they are being postponed due to the threat of COVID-19.

dmg events issued the following statement:
The UAE is safe for travel and deploys the strictest medical and hygiene protocols. In spite of this Middle East Coatings Show is an international event and a large majority of key participants now find themselves unable to travel. This is due either to restrictions in their home countries or to the increasing flight cancellations in the gulf and other regions.

Bearing this in mind, and in the interests of our global exhibitors and key buyers from the region, Middle East Coatings Show 2020 will be postponed and rescheduled for a later date.

The organizers of Paint India issued the following statement:
We find ourselves in the midst of extraordinary circumstances on account of the Corona Virus situation, which has escalated from a Chinese phenomenon one month ago, to a South-East Asian malaise 10 days ago, and now into a global concern in the last few days. While we have been adapting to this changing situation on both the business and health front, and are adequately geared to deliver a quality Event to the Industry, the unravelling of events and the industry’s concerns on account of the same in the last couple of days means we cannot have a status quo on the same. The recent spread of the virus to multiple countries across continents, travel advisories, quarantine measures, visa restrictions, and the general outlook towards travelling to large congregations has changed the situation dramatically. With the scenario changing on a daily basis, the next 10 days leading up to the show could potentially throw up fresh challenges and concerns…Furthermore, we would not want to be indifferent to even the most remote possibility of a health risk to our industry colleagues who would be present at our show. As responsible organizers of a world class event, it is simply not in line to trivialize this issue, especially given the happenings of the last few days.

The new dates for the shows have yet to be announced.

As this issue goes to press the American Coatings Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, is scheduled to be held March 31-April 2.