In response to the increasing global spread of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus), BIMCO is taking further precautionary measures to safeguard the health and safety of its members, other stakeholders and staff which will have an impact on its meetings, training courses and other events worldwide.

With immediate effect the following policy applies to all meeting activity organised by BIMCO, including training courses, conferences, seminars, committee meetings and working group meetings:

• BIMCO will not host any meetings or other events in any of the countries/areas considered to carry a high risk of exposure to COVID-19, as per the below list*.
• In addition, BIMCO will not host any meetings, etc. in other countries which, due to the nature of the meeting (e.g. the number of people attending) is considered to represent a significant risk of exposure to COVID-19. Each meeting, etc. will be considered on a case by case basis, and any changes to planned events will be communicated via the BIMCO website and participants will be informed directly.
• Individuals who have visited any of the countries listed below within the 14 days prior to a BIMCO event are not permitted to attend the event in person. Participants will be asked to confirm ahead of the event that they have not visited any of the listed countries within the preceding fortnight.

Countries: China (incl. Hong Kong, Taiwan & Macau), Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Iran, Italy, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar

* The list is based on information for returning travellers contained in the Guidance relating to COVID-19 available on the website of the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care.

Mindful of the critical situation related to the spread of COVID-19, we ask that you take this decision seriously and inform us if, for this reason, you are unable to attend a planned BIMCO event.

BIMCO will continuously review this policy and update the BIMCO website accordingly.