Coronavirus measures - update 20 March 2020

ECEIM Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) statement March 20, 2020

ECEIM is actively monitoring the latest information on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CVID-19) outbreak including reports and travel advisories from various global public health authorities. The ECEIM Executive Committee and Congress Committee have discussed the pros and cons of delaying, cancelling or holding the 2020 Resident summer school and the 2020 ECEIM congress as planned. In addition, ECEIM has discussed the possibility of delivering the Resident summer school and congress scientific programme through distance-learning techniques (e.g., online presentations). Because the global situation is changing rapidly, it is difficult to project what the coming months will be like making it difficult to reach a final decision regarding the congress. However, it has been decided that the 2020 Resident summer school will be cancelled with the programme now to be delivered via online presentations. All residents that have already paid to attend the 2020 summer school will be refunded.

At this time, there are no plans to postpone or cancel the 2020 ECEIM congress. The congress will take place in the Ergife Palace Hotel in Rome, Italy. ECEIM will ensure that the hotel will have confirmed enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures and will adopt any new recommendations from government agencies regarding preventative measures to minimise the spread of the virus. ECEIM will also ensure that there are numerous hand washing facilities and hand sanitizers present and will consult with experts on any other appropriate preventative measures that should be in place.

ECEIM is optimistic that the congress will proceed accordingly, but to account for the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation ECEIM may adopt a more lenient cancellation policy with no fees associated with cancellations received before a date and time to be decided. All cancellations would need to be submitted via email with a valid reason for cancelling to be eligible for review for reimbursement. Although ECEIM cannot recommend a specific course of action regarding travel, it is recommended that people monitor their own government’s travel advisories and restrictions. ECEIM currently recommends that people refrain from making any travel and accommodation arrangements for the congress including purchase of plane tickets until further information becomes available.

The ECEIM Executive Committee