Las Vegas Convention Center Announces Additional Measures To Combat Coronavirus

The effort begins with the 2020 NAB Show less than two months away

Two weeks ago, the National Association of Broadcasters reaffirmed that the 2020 NAB Show is set to take place as planned, April 18–22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), despite growing concerns about the coronavirus. Now the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), which operates the LVCC, has announced additional measures to help prevent transmission of coronavirus. The LVCVA revealed its plans one day after AJA became the first major vendor to announce that it will be withdrawing from NAB 2020.

The LVCVA says it is actively monitoring COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and is diligently working with the Southern Nevada Health District and the U.S. Travel Association. At this time, there continues to be no reported cases in Clark County or the state of Nevada, and health authorities have not issued any domestic travel notices, precautions, or guidance specific to travel. Southern Nevada and resort properties have not been identified as at high risk for disease transmission. People who have not traveled to an area where the virus is circulating or have not had close contact with a patient who has tested positive for the virus continue to be at low risk for infection.

CLICK HERE for NAB’s Coronavirus Updates and Resources page and stay tuned to sportsvideo.org for continuing coverage of the coronavirus’s potential impact on the sports-production industry.

The Full LVCVA announcement is as follows: 

The LVCVA continues to actively monitor COVID-19 and is diligently working with the Southern Nevada Health District and the U.S. Travel Association to share updates as the health and safety of our employees and guests of the destination remains our utmost priority.

Yesterday, the CDC began to proactively prepare the public for the potential spread in the United States in order to mitigate the impact of the virus IF transmission begins to occur. At this time, there continues to be no reported cases in Clark County or Nevada, and health authorities have not issued any domestic travel notices, precautions or guidance specific to travel. The CDC did, however, update its international travel notices to now include enhanced precautions in Japan and South Korea and usual precautions in Iran and Italy.

According to the Health District, Southern Nevada and resort properties have not been identified as being at higher risk for disease transmission. People who have not traveled to an area where the virus is circulating or have not had close contact with a patient who has tested positive for the virus continue to be at low risk for infection.

WHAT TRAVEL AND VISITOR GUIDANCE IS AVAILABLE?

The U.S. Travel Association is closely monitoring how COVID-19 is impacting global trade shows and conferences, and reports that travel trade shows are continuing as planned.

In addition to following all CDC and Health District protocols, the Las Vegas Convention Center has:

• Increased cleaning protocols to include more frequent wiping and disinfecting of touch points in its facility during occupied show hours, such as door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, restroom stall doors and sinks.
• Added additional hand sanitizer stations in strategically placed areas throughout the facility.
• Increased the outside air intake/air change rates during occupied show hours.
• Reinforced its standard employee health practices, including sending employees home and/or encouraging employees to stay home if they are sick or demonstrated health symptoms that could impact fellow colleagues or guests.
• Reinforced its standard food safety awareness programs including frequent hand washing and making alcohol-based hand gel/rub available at every food station and every table at food outlets.
• Continue to participate in ongoing webinars and conference calls with the International Association of Venue Managers to stay abreast of new practices, protocols and guidance.

WHAT PREPARATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN IN SOUTHERN NEVADA?

• The Southern Nevada Health District conducts regular emergency exercises with both its public and private response partners, and there are plans in place for responding to an outbreak of disease and guidance for pandemic response.
• The Health District successfully implemented these plans during the H1N1 pandemic response in 2009.
• The Health District is continuing to work with its state and federal partners on a multi-layered response with the goal of detecting and minimizing introductions of this virus in the U.S. to reduce the spread and impact to our community.
• The Health District continues to monitor travelers who underwent medical screenings and were allowed to travel to their final destinations. These individuals were not experiencing any symptoms and were asked to stay home and monitor their health within a 14-day period.
• The CDC is preparing community guidance documents representing proactive public health activities that businesses, first responders, health care providers and others can utilize to better prepare to mitigate the impact of the virus if transmission begins to occur in the U.S. The document will soon be available on the CDC website.

WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC DO?

The best way the public can protect themselves is to practice healthy habits and take steps that will protect themselves from being exposed to the spread of respiratory viruses.

It is always recommended that people who are ill avoid travel to keep from potentially exposing others to viruses.

The Health District encourages the public to follow CDC recommendations to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The Health District is continuing to work with the CDC, state, and local response partners to closely monitor the situation. Additional information and updates are available on the Health District website.