Madrid’s IFEMA prepares for reopening with rigorous safety protocols

The Madrid trade fair institution IFEMA, home to the world-famous Fruit Attraction expo, is preparing to resume its normal activity in September, having been temporarily converted into a hospital to care for those affected by the COVID-19 virus. To guarantee the safety of exhibitors, visitors, suppliers and employees, it is adopting a series of measures that range from access control and social distancing to the prevention of high concentrations of people, to increased hygiene measures. All protocols are based on criteria defined by health authorities and the main national and international public and sectoral organisations.

IFEMA aims to maximise protection in order to recover the strategic role of fairs and congresses to help companies to revive their businesses and contribute to the reconstruction of the economy. It is establishing mechanisms that guarantee and monitor everything related to the field of safety, control and preservation of health, as well as hygiene, quality and environmental safety of facilities. In addition, there will be greater control of gauging and constant monitoring of human trafficking for the prevention of high concentration and social distancing.

A “contactless no hands” policy has been adopted during all production, celebration and dismantling processes of its events and for all users of the venue. Moreover, a new procedure has been set up for the preventive management of human and vehicle traffic, while telemetric counters have been installed for people entering and leaving to allow real-time control of attendance levels. Protective partitions have been installed in spaces where the minimum distance cannot be maintained, and the use of masks will be mandatory.