London conference venue staff can come to work ‘if they feel well’ after delegate tested positive for coronavirus

Conference venue staff have told they can come to work ‘if they feel well’ despite an event delegate testing positive for the coronavirus.

Workers at London’s QEII Centre have been told to report for duty unless they start to develop symptoms of a cough or fever or shortness of breath.

Around 250 delegates attended the 6^th Annual Bus Summit on Thursday, February 6, including Members of Parliament.

All the delegates have now been contacted by Public Health England after a delegate later tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Mark Taylor, Chief Executive, QEII Centre, said: “The QEII Centre received information from Public Health England on Thursday 13 February 2020 that a delegate who had attended the 6^th Annual Bus Summit at the venue on Thursday 6 February 2020 is a confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

“Public Health England have stated that the risk of exposure or transmission to other delegates at the 6^th Annual Bus Summit is low. However, as a precaution, Public Health England has informed QEII that it is contacting all attendees via event organiser Transport Times.  

“The QEII Centre takes the health and safety of its clients, staff and partners very seriously and in addition to the business’s existing, thorough health and safety and hygiene practices, is following updated advice from the UK Government and Public Health England.  

“All QEII staff have been advised if they develop symptoms of a cough or fever or shortness of breath, they should immediately stay indoors and avoid contact with other people, as you would with the flu and call NHS 111. “

He added: “On the advice of Public Health England, The QEII Centre remains fully open and events will continue to take place as normal.”