Despite recent global developments with COVID-19, based on guidance from the Australian Government Department of Health and NSW Health the risk to individuals here in Australia remains low and the 10th Annual Australian Healthcare Week (AHW) will continue as planned from 25-26 March 2020 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney.

The safety and wellbeing of all employees, guests and clients is of paramount importance and remains our top priority. Australian Healthcare Week, in partnership with the International Convention Centre Sydney, is closely monitoring the situation, taking direction and guidance from the Australian Government Department of Health should the situation change.

There has never been a more important time for Australia’s healthcare leaders and broader healthcare community to come together to collaborate, discuss and share ideas about how to prepare our hospitals, services and workforce for unforeseen challenges, such as epidemics. AHW is proud to provide a platform to facilitate this.

We are undertaking the same steps and precautions as recommended to the wider community to ensure a safe environment at our event and for guests. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Advising our clients and broader healthcare network not to attend the show if they feel unwell.
   
2. Reminding attendees and staff they must not attend if they have been to a country considered at higher risk of COVID-19 (excluding airport transit) in the past 14 days
3. Free standing hand sanitizers will be strategically positioned around the expo floor, including in the main corridors, entry points, customer service desks and public areas across ICC. Each sanitiser is accompanied by a World Health Organisation approved “How to HANDRUB” sign.
4. Tissues and bins have also been put in place throughout the venue with a NSW Health sign on “cough etiquette”.
5. Bathrooms across the venue have a World Health Organisation “How to Hand WASH” sign.
6. Presentation Services allocates one person on each shift to walk around wiping the below areas with a medical disinfectant. These areas are targeted three times throughout the shift: Escalator handrails, Door Handles, Elevator buttons, Handles in toilets,  ATM Machines and Benches
7. Toilets are checked and wiped 4 times a day on each level with a disinfectant targeting the below areas: Handles,Toilet Seat,Toilet Push Button,Taps, Doors, Hand dryers and Paper Toilet holders

Year-on-year we have seen an increase in AHW visitor and exhibitor registration and we are very excited to welcome over 200 exhibitors and over 7,000 healthcare professionals from across Australia to our show in March.

If you have any questions please call +61 2 9229 1033 or email info@austhealthweek.com.au