Please be aware, the UK risk level for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has now been increased from low to moderate. Whilst the risk to individuals is low, Business Design Centre remains open and all events are taking place as planned, unless otherwise advised by the organising company directly.
BDC will continue to follow advice from the Government, the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England. Based on current evidence, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild.
Advice for UK Residents and International Visitors
The advice for UK residents who think they may be affected is to take common-sense steps to avoid close contact with other people, including not going to work, school or public areas and not using public transport. Those concerned should please contact 111 or make an appointment with their GP. International visitors can also contact 111 or 999.
NHS 111 is a 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week telephone advice service for members of the public to phone if they have an urgent medical concern; 999 is the contact number for the Ambulance, Fire Brigade and Police services and should be used in an emergency.
Please be aware that calls to 111 from a foreign-registered mobile phone, within the UK, may not work and may not be free. For anyone unable to call 111, the alternative number is 0300 020 0155.
Attending Events at Business Design Centre (BDC)
If you are due to attend an event at the BDC and think you may be affected, please stay indoors, either at home or within your accommodation, avoiding contact with other people and please contact NHS 111 or 999.
If you have travelled from the following countries, we recommend that you do not come to the venue and avoid contact with people until you have been back in the country for 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms.
- China
- Thailand
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Macau
- Northern Italy
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
If you are experiencing symptoms, including cough, fever or shortness of breath, you should not travel to events at the venue, even if your symptoms are mild.
Feeling Unwell Whilst Onsite
If you begin to feel unwell whilst attending an event at the BDC, please visit the First Aid Room on the third floor of the venue.
There are hand sanitisers at every toilet facility in the venue and at the entrance to the building. We are actively encouraging staff, exhibitors, tenants and guests to maintain good personal hygiene, with advice displayed around the venue.
This is a developing situation and we ask that you refer to the latest information and advice on this matter from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England, which is kept up to date on the gov.uk website.
British people travelling and living overseas following the outbreak of novel coronavirus should check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.
Summary of Action Taken
- The UK has introduced advanced monitoring at airports with direct flights from China.
- A team of public health experts has been established in Heathrow to support anyone travelling in from China who feels unwell. These hubs will bring in rotational teams of 7 clinicians, working in shifts, who will be on hand to support patients on arrival. This is in addition to medical staff who are already permanently in place at all UK airports and the advice issued to all UK airports for people travelling to and from China.
- The government has issued clinical guidance for the detection and diagnosis of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and infection prevention and control.
- The Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director at PHE and Medical Director at NHSE/I have issued advice via a CAS (Central Alerting System) alert to frontline staff to increase awareness of the situation and any actions to take.
- Most people who develop symptoms will get them after leaving the airport and so the priority is providing UK residents and travellers with the latest information to make sure they know what to do if they experience symptoms, and the NHS and PHE have an established plan to respond to someone who becomes unwell.
- China has also introduced port-of-exit screening so people already exhibiting symptoms are not allowed to leave the country.