Amazon AWS were due to attend the Mobile World Congress later this month in Barcelona, due to coronavirus concerns they are the latest company to withdraw from it.
“due to the outbreak and continued concerns about novel coronavirus, Amazon will withdraw from exhibiting and participating in Mobile World Congress 2020″
– Amazon
Amazon AWS had planned to host a full-day conference during the event and although it is confirmed that Mobile World Congress will still go ahead the restrictions, withdrawals and growing concern over the virus are sure to start hurting the connections and marketing that takes place at events like this. With the event itself also taking place on the 24-27th of februrary there is still plenty of time for other exhibitors to withdraw.
What GSMA say
In a statement GSMA commented on the disruption caused by the virus, even mentioning the most affected being those from China who make up 5-6% of attendees. Aiming to keep those visiting the event safe and reassured GSMA have put in place the following additional measures:
- All travellers from the Hubei province will not be permitted access to the event*
- All travellers who have been in China will need to demonstrate proof they have been outside of China 14 days prior to the event (passport stamp, health certificate)
- Temperature screening will be implemented
- Attendees will need to self-certify they have not been in contact with anyone infected.
It might not be all that bad for ecommerce, if things do end up getting worse at least ‘self-loving’ consumers have even more reason to feel sorry for themselves and do a bit of online shopping to feel better, stock up on medical supplies and pass the time. Unless of course, sellers also end up in quarantine… the hospitals are already overloaded so I’m not sure if they’ll let you bring your stock.
