We’ve been getting a few calls from people who are worried that the Big Screen Symposium will be cancelled. As of today, (13 March 2020) Big Screen Symposium 2020 is going ahead as planned.
We are following the recommendations of the Ministry of Health on how to proceed with this issue, as they come to hand. At this stage, the Ministry of Health does not propose altering arrangements for public events.
As per the Ministry of Health’s advice for public events and mass gatherings (last updated 12/03/2020), the following people should not attend events:
- Anyone who is unwell
- Anyone arriving in New Zealand who has returned from mainland China, Iran, northern Italy or the Republic of Korea (excluding airport transit), or been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
For more information on COVID-19, visit the Ministry of Health website
On 12/3/20, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern officially announced that major events such as the one-year commemorative service for Christchurch and Auckland’s Pasifika Festival are both safe to go ahead.
The organisers of the Big Screen Symposium are being extra vigilant and suggest the following advice for attendees:
- If you are unwell, please stay at home
- Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues when you cough and place used tissues in the bins provided. If you do not have a tissue cough into your inner elbow.
- Take advantage of the hand sanitizer stations we’ll have available at the venue
- Minimize close contact with your fellow delegates and avoid shaking hands, hugging, cheek-kissing etc. Consider another form of greeting, some suggestions from the media are: New Zealand Sign Language, The Elbow Bump, The Foot Shake, The ‘Sup Nod, The Hip Bump or an Air High Five.
Keep an eye on our social pages and website for updates. We will be monitoring the situation closely in the coming weeks.
Ngā mihi,
Big Screen Symposium Team
hello@bigscreensymposium.com
