AMPP News

NACE International statement on CORROSION 2020 and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

  

Friday, March 6, 2020, 3:40 p.m. CST

NACE International has been closely monitoring news and information about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). With recent news that six cases of the virus have been reported in the Houston area we are concerned about hosting an event in the city at this time. We are in the process of contacting local officials to determine whether the safety and health of our conference-goers can be protected and we are convening our global board of directors for a teleconference tonight. Following these meetings, we will announce any news about the conference at 11:00 p.m. CST tonight, Friday, March 6, 2020.

To our many attendees, exhibitors, and member volunteers we thank you for your patience and support. 

Thursday, March 5, 2020

CORROSION 2020 will take place March 15-19, 2020 in Houston, Texas
We are monitoring the latest news and government recommendations and announcements related to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and its potential impact to our annual conference. We are implementing all CDC recommendations for preparing for large events while taking precautions to ensure a safe, hygienic environment for all attendees in all the conference venues from the convention center to the hotels to the restaurants and event spaces. We are working closely with the Houston Convention Center, the City of Houston and local medical experts as they remain supportive of large-scale events being held, including ours. Currently most other large events scheduled for Houston this March are continuing as planned.

While a few of our attendees and exhibitors have shared concerns and some of our international guests will be unable to attend due to travel restrictions, we have received feedback from attendees and exhibitors who would like to see the conference take place. In response, the executive committee has determined to move forward with the event.

We are taking the following measures to protect the health and wellness of all attendees:

  • Increased availability of hand sanitizer stations at the convention center and hotels
  • Easily accessible on-site medical support
  • Disinfecting wipes and materials to clean touch screens and other frequently used touch-points
  • We also encourage everyone in attendance to practice the World Health Organization’s recommended basic protective measures for your own safety and the safety of others.

The following preventative measures have been implemented at the George R. Brown Convention Center:

  • Enhancing daily cleaning and sanitation procedures in all convention center facilities.
  • Making hand sanitization stations readily available to visitors and guests with 40 permanent hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility.
  • 15 stand-up portable hand sanitizing units have been added to the facility.
  • Hygiene awareness signage is displayed on monitors and restrooms throughout the facility.
  • Hospital grade disinfectants are being utilized.
  • Cleaning crews are wearing latex gloves and washing their hands immediately after removing the gloves.
  • Escalator handrails, doors and hardware are being sanitized throughout the day.

Information from the CDC, WHO, and City of Houston is available here:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
http://houstonemergency.org/
https://www.houstontx.gov/coronavirus-info.html


Tuesday, March 3, 2020

CORROSION 2020 is still taking place March 15-19, 2020 in Houston, Texas

We are monitoring the latest news and government recommendations and announcements related to the coronavirus and its potential impact to our annual conference. So far, all official communication, including yesterday’s White House task force press briefing have stated that the risk remains low in the U.S. Based on this information and attendee and exhibitor feedback asking for the conference to take place, the executive committee has determined to move forward with the event.

Although low risk is good news, we are still taking precautions to ensure a safe, hygienic environment for all attendees in all the conference venues from the convention center to the hotels to the restaurants and event spaces. We are working closely with the Houston Convention Center, the City of Houston and local medical experts as they remain supportive of large-scale events being held, including ours. Currently there are no cases of coronavirus in Houston and most other large events scheduled for Houston this March are continuing as planned. We are taking the following measures to protect the health and wellness of all attendees:

  • Increased availability of hand sanitizer stations at the convention center and hotels
  • Easily accessible on-site medical support
  • Disinfecting wipes and materials to clean touch screens and other frequently used touch points
  • We also encourage everyone in attendance to practice the World Health Organization’s recommended basic protective measures for your own safety and the safety of others.

Information from the CDC, WHO, and City of Houston is available here:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
http://houstonemergency.org/
https://www.houstontx.gov/coronavirus-info.html


Friday, February 28, 2020

The health and safety of our members, staff, and all participants in NACE International activities and events is our top priority. NACE is closely monitoring all national and international recommendations and guidelines pertaining to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We have been and will continue to follow all recommended guidelines and safety measures issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Following is an update on the status of our events and courses worldwide.

Global Courses and Events:
To date, China is the only country where NACE has canceled courses and postponed exams due to the temporary closure of Pearson VUE testing facilities. We are currently monitoring all other countries and will make decisions to cancel or postpone activities as necessary.

CORROSION 2020:
At this time the CDC and WHO have not declared any threat of the virus in the Houston area, so we plan to move forward with CORROSION 2020 as scheduled this March 15-19 in Houston, Texas. If there are any changes to these plans, we will notify all registered attendees immediately and will post information on our website and our social media accounts.

NACE is implementing all guidance and recommended safety measures issued by WHO and CDC and state and local health authorities to protect the health and wellness of all attendees, including:

  • Increased availability of hand sanitizer stations at the Houston convention center and hotels
  • Easily accessible on-site medical support
  • Disinfecting wipes and materials to clean touch screens and other frequently used touch-points
Our highest priority is the health and safety of the entire NACE community. We will continue to monitor coronavirus-related developments worldwide and provide updates as appropriate. If you have any questions, please contact our First Service team at firstservice@nace.org or by phone at 1-800-797-6223 (U.S./Canada) or +1-281-228-6223 worldwide.
China-based testing - February 14 Update

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and in accordance with local government guidance, Pearson VUE is temporarily closing its mainland China testing centres and suspending exam delivery through our third-party mainland China test centre network.

Exam delivery within mainland China will remain suspended through the end of March, or until it has been determined safe to resume exam deliveries in alignment to the guidance provided by local authorities and government agencies.

If your exam was cancelled, you can schedule new exam appointments with seat availability starting April 1, 2020. Testing candidates with cancelled exams will either receive a refund (if paid to Pearson VUE) or an extension as determined by your exam sponsor.

As efforts to control the COVID-19 outbreak carry on, we will continue to monitor the situation and will act upon any new guidance provided by local authorities and government agencies as they develop.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent novel coronavirus infection; the best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure to this virus. Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the following is advised to prevent the spread of viruses:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you were in China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, the CDC recommends that you:
  • Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. 
  • Avoid contact with others.
  • Not travel while sick. 
International SOS (iSOS), the medical and travel services firm used by NACE, has published a useful pocket guide which can be found here.
0 comments
429 views