IFEMA Looks Forward to Reopening with 75% Capacity and Wide Security Measures

In compliance with the regulations established by the Community of Madrid approving the return of fairs, congresses and events, IFEMA will implement its own preventive measures, which have received two official distinctions, the Madrid Guarantee and the WTTC Safe Travels seal, that recognize the adaptation efforts made to guarantee the reactivation of the fairs in a safe space.

Less than a week after the reopening of its facilities to the public, on the occasion of ABRE MADRID, IFEMA has activated all of its protocols to comply with the official regulations, and with the requirements needed to guarantee safety and gain the trust of the market, configuring a safe space perfectly adapted to the current situation.

It will be a rehearsal to verify that it fully complies with the regulations, with a view to a complete return to activity from September onwards, concentrating over 60 fairs and congresses into the last six months of the year. All these events will be held within the new framework of regulations established by the central and autonomous governments, and they will go some way to fulfilling the objective of a much-needed economic recovery.

Safety Measures Protocol

Thus, following the entry into force of the second stage of the measures contained in the official Community of Madrid bulletin, which regulate, among other economic activities, the fairs and congresses sector, IFEMA is resuming its activity in compliance with the general guidelines that allow an increase in attendance up to 75% of a venue's capacity, albeit ensuring that the configuration of the space allows for a physical distance between people of 1.5 metres to be maintained or, otherwise, the mandatory use of face masks. 

IFEMA has, thus, planned a set of measures aimed at maintaining the safe interpersonal distance established in the rules throughout a participant's journey at a fair, from arrival, registration and access, up until their departure. It is, however, important to note that, in accordance with Community of Madrid regulations, in those cases in which these distance measures cannot be maintained, alternative physical protection measures, including the use of masks, will be implemented, making practically all event formats viable.

Movement of People and Configuration of Safe Spaces

Another important focus that will be implemented, in accordance with the rules, will be the organisation of how people circulate within the fairs and congresses, and the distribution of spaces, seeking to ensure that the safe interpersonal distance can be maintained. As far as possible, IFEMA will, therefore, establish routes in order to direct the circulation of attendees and avoid crowding in certain areas, both inside and outside, thus preventing contact between attendees. Likewise, IFEMA will reinforce these measures by establishing separate entry and exit points, in order to reduce the risk of crowds forming.

The regulations also require, as long as there is a risk of the virus spreading, mandatory compliance with the hygiene and prevention measures established. As a first-level preventive measure, all attendees and participants at the fairs, congresses and events that take place at IFEMA will be required to wear a mask throughout their stay at its facilities. Additional actions will also be taken, such as periodic disinfection, the use of hydroalcoholic gel, and elimination of all types of material and processes that could pose any risk of contamination.

Likewise, in the event that any type of hospitality or catering service is required, this will be adapted to the requirements established for providing these services in hotel and restaurant establishments. Community of Madrid regulations, however, do not allow cocktail-type receptions to be held as part of fairs and events.

As established in Article 16 of Law 15/1997, of 25 June, IFEMA will present the protocol containing the safety, hygiene and prevention measures to be implemented at each fair to the competent body. The information submitted will also include all the additional measures IFEMA is taking through the implementation of cutting-edge technology for temperature detection, access and capacity control and pre-registration, as well as heat maps to avoid crowds, among other information and assistance measures.

IFEMA, officially recognized as a safe space

All these protocols IFEMA has been working on and investing in have recently been recognized by the Community of Madrid and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) through the Madrid Guarantee certificates and the Safe Travels seal. This distinction endorses the extraordinary measures implemented by IFEMA to guarantee the health, safety and mobility of participants at its fairs, congresses and events, as well as the dissemination of this information throughout the sector.