PROTaction - Questions & Answers

We decided deliberately to organize the upcoming events as face-to-face trade shows. We are experiencing a high demand and support from our exhibitors who, after a long pandemic period, again need platforms for physical presentation, "real" experiences, personal information, exchange and networking. Messe Düsseldorf has already proven several times during the Covid 19 pandemic that successful trade fairs with several thousand participants are possible with the greatest possible protection for all involved. Our sophisticated hygiene and infection control concept, our high-performance ventilation systems, the extensive trade fair grounds and the spacious halls reduce the risk of infection to a minimum.

Our 613,000 square meter site with 18 halls, up to 25,000 square meters in size and 26 meters high, offers enough space for everyone. The area is many times larger than that of a concert, for example. 60,000 measuring points ensure optimum air quality; 10 million cubic meters of fresh outside air are introduced into the halls every hour. In addition, there are spacious entrance and recreation areas, wide aisles, distance markings, traffic routing and attentive staff who ensure that hygiene measures are observed.

People numbers can be controlled by the exclusively online tickets with registration as well as the digital exhibitor passes of Messe Düsseldorf. At the same time, this gives us an overview of all people on site.

Visitors to our leisure trade shows must be fully vaccinated or recovered. In addition, people who have been tested negatively can also take part in our business trade fairs with a professional audience, as only people with work-related reasons take part there. Messe Düsseldorf thus complies with the current Corona Protection Ordinance of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

For employees of exhibitors and service providers, the access requirement is always "fully vaccinated, recovered or tested", as they are professionally active at the trade fair. We appeal to all trade fair participants to be vaccinated. The highest possible vaccination rate offers the greatest possible safety and plays an essential role in quickly returning to pre-Covid-19 conditions.

All guests at trade fair gastronomy (restaurants, cafés, etc.) must always be fully vaccinated or recovered, regardless of whether tested visitors are also allowed at a trade fair. This applies to both indoor areas and outdoor terraces. Excluded are offerings that are limited to just picking up food (e.g., snack stands or food trucks without a patio).

For admission checks, in addition to identification documents for matching (ID card or passport), one of the following proofs must be available:

• Vaccinated: proof of vaccination or vaccination certificate. Vaccination must have been completed for more than 14 days.
  

• Convalescent: Positive PCR test result from an official testing site. Testing must have occurred between 28 days and 6 months ago.
  

• Tested: Negative corona test result from an official testing site. Rapid antigen tests must have been performed no more than 24 hours ago, PCR tests no more than 48 hours ago. Self-tests brought in are not accepted. An overview of rapid test centers in Düsseldorf and the possibility to book an appointment can be found at: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest.

Please inform yourself in advance which access requirements apply at the respective trade fair.

Children under the age of 6 do not need proof. The same applies to children and adolescents under 16 years of age outside of vacation periods, as they are considered schoolchildren due to their age and are therefore considered to have tested negative as a result of testing at schools. For children 16 years and older, the following applies: with a certificate from the school (student ID, etc.), they are considered to have tested negative outside of vacation periods. Without this certificate, young people aged 16 and over must show proof of complete vaccination, recovery or negative testing. Messe Düsseldorf is thus following the current corona protection regulation of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Answer for visitors to trade fairs from abroad:

Children under the age of 6 do not need proof. The exemption from compulsory testing for schoolchildren from Germany is based on the recurring tests carried out in schools. This is very different internationally and cannot be adopted. It follows that children from 6 byears of age living abroad must show proof of complete vaccination, recovery or negative testing. Messe Düsseldorf is thus following the current Corona Protection Ordinance of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

All guests of the fair gastronomy (restaurants, cafés, etc.) must be fully vaccinated or recovered in any case. This applies to both indoor areas and outdoor terraces. Offers that are limited to the mere collection of food (e.g. snack stands or food trucks without a terrace) are excluded. Messe Düsseldorf is thus following the current Corona Protection Ordinance of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. We appeal to all trade fair participants to be vaccinated. The highest possible vaccination rate offers the greatest possible safety and plays an essential role in quickly returning to conditions as they were before Covid-19.

Offers that are limited to the mere collection of food (e.g. snack stands or food trucks without a terrace) can be used without proof of complete vaccination or recovery.

Messe Düsseldorf's measures are in line with the Corona Protection Ordinance of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, which is continuously adapted and optimized. As soon as relevant new regulations for trade fairs and congresses are announced, they will be incorporated into the concept as quickly as possible. Irrespective of this, we appeal to all trade fair participants to be vaccinated. The highest possible vaccination rate offers the greatest possible safety and plays an essential role in quickly returning to pre-Covid-19 conditions. 

For the sake of our clients and partners, we are interested in a return to pre-Covid 19 conditions as soon as possible. Vaccination plays an essential role in this and we welcome any measure that increases vaccination coverage. However, we do not proactively plan to admit only vaccinated and recovered people to our fairs. One reason is the high internationality of exhibitors and visitors at our leading world fairs. Large parts of our international customers have currently not (yet) received vaccines approved in the EU and are dependent on test certificates as a prerequisite for admission. Therefore, the principle that vaccinated, recovered and tested participants are allowed will remain necessary at trade fairs for the time being.

There is also the legal aspect: our hygiene and infection protection concept at the Düsseldorf trade fair venue is based on the Corona Protection Ordinance of the State of NRW, which is continuously adapted and optimised. As soon as relevant innovations for trade fairs and congresses are announced, they will be incorporated into the concept as quickly as possible.

For the vaccination certificates, all Corona vaccines approved in the EU are accepted. These are currently the vaccines of the manufacturers BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen Pharmaceutica NV. Unfortunately, other vaccines cannot be accepted. In such cases, a negative corona test result from an official testing site is required. Rapid antigen tests must be no more than 24 hours old, PCR tests no more than 48 hours. Self-tests brought along will not be accepted. 

You will find an overview of rapid test centers in Düsseldorf and the possibility of booking appointments at: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest

Further information on approved vaccines can be found on the website of the Paul Ehrlich Institute: www.pei.de

If you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, you must present a medical certificate and a negative corona test result from an official testing center. Rapid antigen tests must be no more than 24 hours old, PCR tests no more than 48 hours. Self-tests brought along will not be accepted. You will find an overview of rapid test centers in Düsseldorf and the possibility of booking appointments at: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest

The proof of vaccination must be carried as digital proof (Corona warning app or CovPass app) or as a printout with QR code. The international vaccination certificate in accordance with the requirements of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is also accepted.

For our guests from abroad, the EU digital COVID certificate is also accepted if it complies with the European certificate requirements (app or printout with QR code). You can find an overview of the countries in which the certificate can be obtained and how here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en.

Non-European vaccination certificates without QR code are also accepted, provided that vaccines approved in the EU were used.

All certificates are accepted in German. If the certificates are written in another national language, English must be stated as the second language.

As Messe Düsseldorf, we want to do our part to increase the vaccination rate and therefore recommend the following website of the city of Düsseldorf:

https://corona.duesseldorf.de/zielgruppen/alle-dusseldorfer-innen/impfen

Rapid antigen tests must be no more than 24 hours old and PCR tests no more than 48 hours old.

Results of rapid antigen tests performed by an official testing center no more than 24 hours ago will also be accepted. Self-tests brought along will not be accepted.

Only test results from official test centers are accepted. You can find an overview of rapid test centres in Düsseldorf and the possibility to book an appointment at: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest#

Answer for visitors:

There will be an official, fee-based test centre at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds. Please note that we expect a high occupancy rate at the time of the fair, combined with long waiting times. In order to avoid these and to guarantee you as much time as possible at the respective trade fair, we STRONGLY recommend that you take advantage of the numerous  test opportunities at your place of residence or in the city of Düsseldorf before travelling: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest#

Answer for exhibitors:

There will be an official test centre on the Düsseldorf exhibition grounds with which you can conclude a contract for the testing of your employees for the duration of the fair. Please contact the operator of the test centre directly:

Mr. Philip Runge
Tel: +49 211-178-172-511023
Mobile: +49 173-593-1000
Mail: philip.runge@medical-ts.de
Web: https://medical-ts.de

Medical Testing Solutions
Grafenberger Allee 277-287 A
Eingang A - 5.Etage
40237 Düsseldorf

 There are also numerous testing opportunities in the city of Düsseldorf. For a contract to test your employees, please contact one of the test centres directly: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest#

Please note that we expect a high occupancy rate during the trade fair and long waiting times. We therefore STRONGLY recommend using e.g. test centres in the immediate vicinity of the respective accommodation.

There will be an official, fee-based test centre at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds, which will also offer the so-called free citizen test for citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany. Please note that we expect a high occupancy rate at the time of the fair, combined with long waiting times. In order to avoid these and to guarantee you as much time as possible at the respective trade fair, we STRONGLY recommend that you take advantage of the numerous test opportunities at your place of residence or in the city of Düsseldorf before travelling: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest#

As a company, you must notify the authorities that you wish to offer your employees free employee testing in accordance with the regulations of the Corona Testing and Quarantine Ordinance and issue a test certificate. This is possible via the following website (currently only in German): https://www.mags.nrw/coronavirus-beschaeftigtentestung-anzeige. Please enter the Düsseldorf Health Department as the addressee.

If your company's address abroad is not accepted or you are not granted permission for other reasons, you may not test your employees locally yourself and issue certificates. 

In this case, there will be an official, fee-based test centre on the Düsseldorf exhibition grounds with which you can conclude a contract for the testing of your employees for the duration of the fair. Please contact the operator of the test centre directly: 

Mr. Philip Runge
Tel: +49 211-178-172-511023
Mobile: +49 173-593-1000
Mail: philip.runge@medical-ts.de
Web: https://medical-ts.de

Medical Testing Solutions
Grafenberger Allee 277-287 A
Entrance A - 5th floor
40237 Düsseldorf

 There are also numerous testing facilities in the city of Düsseldorf. For a contract to test your employees, please contact one of the test centres directly: https://corona.duesseldorf.de/schnelltest  

For entry requirements to Germany from your country, please consult official websites of your embassy or the federal foreign office at https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus/2317268.

We would be happy to assist you in your further trade fair preparations. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time: +49 211 4560-400, info@messe-duesseldorf.de

Messe Düsseldorf has worked out a Hygiene and Infection Protection Concept based on the current COVID-19 Protection Ordinance of the federal state of NRW with a view to above all ensuring the required health precautions and hygiene measures at all forthcoming events at the homebase Düsseldorf. This includes hygiene, technical and organisational measures provided by the federal state government for holding congresses and trade fairs. For more detailed information refer to your Factsheet.

The hygiene and infection protection standards at our international events are governed by the relevant requirements of the competent local authorities.

All upcoming events at the Düsseldorf site will be planned with infection in mind: There is enough space for everyone on the site and thus every visitor who wants to come receives a ticket.

Contact tracing is no longer necessary according to the current Corona Protection Ordinance NRW.

It is generally compulsory to wear a medical face mask (surgical masks) on the entire exhibition grounds used for the event. Alternatively, breathing masks (FFP2, KN95, N95) without a valve may be used. Visors do not provide an equivalent substitute and are therefore not permitted.

The wearing of a mask may be dispensed with in the following cases :

• at fixed seating or standing places (also in catering facilities) at a distance of 1.5 metres from other trade fair participants
• for the necessary consumption of food and beverages
• by persons who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons and can prove this by means of a medical certificate. In these cases, a visor must be worn instead of a mask
• Children up to the age of school entry are exempt from the obligation to wear a mask.

Masks will be issued by service staff at the entrances and on the grounds if required.

As usual, Messe Düsseldorf is in close contact with the city's public transport operators in order to adjust the frequency of buses and trains to the times of the trade fair. The intervals are significantly higher than in regular operation. The transport companies themselves have developed hygiene and infection protection concepts based on the current COVID-19 Protection Ordinance in order to transport their passengers safely.

Some details about the concepts:

• The cleaning frequency of all public transport facilities was increased, especially in the contact areas.
• In the subway area, dispensers for disinfectants are installed at most stations.
• Masks are mandatory in all stations, stops and in the vehicles themselves.
• At present, the capacity utilization of the Düsseldorf railroads is about 40%. Despite the limited number of visitors, the highest train frequency is planned for trade fairs. Therefore, the lines will be utilized to a maximum of 50% of capacity.

 You can find all the information you need about travelling to the event by public transport in the Düsseldorf city area at https://www.rheinbahn.com/Seiten/default.aspx.

We would be happy to provide you with the communication materials of our #PROTaction campaign to make all visitors and guests uniformly aware of our hygiene and infection protection standards. You can download the texts and graphics here.

Messe Düsseldorf does not specify a maximum number of persons for stands, as the limit on the number of persons has been lifted in the current Corona Protection Ordinance. We recommend regulating access to the stand in your own interest so that all guests can feel sufficiently safe and looked after. The distance rule of 1.5 metres still applies.

We also offer stand concepts suitable for COVID-19. Please contact servicealliance@messe-duesseldorf.de for this.

Messe Düsseldorf does not specify a maximum number of persons for stands, as the limit on the number of persons has been lifted in the current Corona Protection Ordinance. We recommend regulating access to the stand in your own interest so that all guests can feel sufficiently safe and looked after. The distance rule of 1.5 metres still applies.

This must be taken into account in the planning of stand design, zoning and the positioning of exhibits and presentation areas (e.g. LED walls). It is important that sufficiently dimensioned recreational or visiting areas are planned; seating areas and meeting rooms should be spacious

Multi-storey stands should provide wide stairways or stairs with one-way traffic. In addition, enclosed conference rooms or basements of multi-storey stand structures may only be erected and operated when open, or must comply with the separate conditions of Messe Düsseldorf's hygiene and infection protection concept (Item 3.5). Rooms that are only used by a small number of persons for short periods of time, with a max-imum of one person staying at the same time, e.g. storage rooms, technical rooms, cloakrooms not manned by personnel, rooms with lockers, are not subject to these conditions and are excluded from them.

Doors, windows and roof hatches of accessible exhibits must be permanently open.

As a general rule, smooth wipeable surfaces should be preferred to facilitate regular cleaning.
Catering areas and kitchens are to be planned in accordance with the applicable COVID-19 Protection Ordinance of the State of NRW for the catering trade. A hy-giene concept must be submitted by the stand operator to the public order authority (Ordnungsamt/Health Office) on request.

We also offer stand concepts suitable for COVID-19. Please contact servicealli-ance@messe-duesseldorf.de for this.

Stand construction is governed by the “SARS-CoV-2-Arbeitsschutzstandard” H&S standard by the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs. A hygiene concept must have been submitted for stand construction and dismantling and all members of staff must have been briefed about the content of the “SARS-CoV-2” standard. The trades should work consecutively – in their own time slot – to avoid contact. There is a general obligation to wear masks during the running time, during assembly and disassembly, whenever the minimum distance of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained. The respective employer must provide sufficient disinfectant and protective gloves for all employees.

The current situation requires a rethink on all levels. Our hygiene and infection protection standards are based on the current COVID-19 Protection Ordinance of the State of NRW and offer the best possible protection for exhibitors, visitors, partners and employees. If your original stand planning contradicts the hygiene and infection protection concept in certain points, this requires an individual consideration. We will be happy to assist you with any queries you may have in order to ensure a successful participation in the fair. Please contact us at tr-service@messe-duesseldorf.de.

Yes, operators of restaurants and catering services must draw up their own hygiene and infection control concept for their business based on the Corona Protection Ordinance and its annexes. They are responsible for its content and ensure its implementation on their own responsibility.

Chairs or fixed standing areas will be required for all guests if beverages are to be served while in conversation. We recommend limiting the number per table to a maximum of ten seats; the same applies to benches. A minimum distance of 1.5 metres should be maintained from the chairs of neighbouring tables, from staff working areas or waiting areas (measured from the backrest). In front of the counter, seating is only permissible with additional barriers (such as transparent partitions like in retail).

At the table, guests may remove their mouth-to-nose masks. Prior to being served guests must be able to wash and/or upon demand sanitize their hands. Furthermore, they will have to disclose their contact data as well as the length of their stay.

Preferably, individually packaged food should be offered, which does not need to be pre-pared further by the exhibitor, but only opened and eaten by the customer.

Objects of utility such as sugar dispensers or tooth picks shall not be openly placed on tables; self-service buffets are not permissible.

After each use all contact surfaces such as worktops, upholstery, chairs and tables must be cleaned with a degreasing household detergent. Table cloths and napkins shall be ex-changed for each new guest. These have to be washed at a minimum of 60°C prior to renewed use. Crockery and glasses should also be cleaned at 60°C in a dish-washer if possible. 

Yes, they can be cleaned regularly at short intervals with a fat-dissolving household cleaner. Please make sure in advance that the surfaces are compatible with the cleaning agent to be used by referring to the device descriptions.

When distributing materials, we recommend wearing gloves. However, this is not a regulation. Messe Düsseldorf will do so for its own interests.

A product that has been handled once must not be put back or returned uncleaned. Appropriate disposal facilities must be provided. Products that can be hygienically re-processed may be distributed again afterwards.

Yes, if required, disinfectant can be obtained from the OOS or the Zirener exhibition shop.

The disinfectant remains in the containers marked by the manufacturer. No decanting of flammable liquids is permitted on the exhibition grounds.

The storage quantity for flammable liquids is limited to 0.5 l / sqm stand space. During Corona, we assume that appropriate liquids will be available at all stands and refrain from further notification/display. The effectiveness of the disinfectant is stated by the manufacturer (at least limited virucidal).

No, the number of disinfection facilities on the stands is the responsibility of the respective exhibitor.

No, there is a general ban on stand parties and exhibitor parties on the premises.

Compliance with the measures on the premises will be monitored by Messe Düsseldorf. At the exhibition stands the exhibitors themselves take responsibility for implementation. Messe Düsseldorf provides support for enforcement.  

The extensive live programme of workshops, conferences and co. will continue to be one of the strengths of our leading world trade fairs. These platforms for knowledge transfer and networking are more important than ever, especially in the current situation, to discuss trends and jointly set the course for the future.

In future, the live programme items will have seats for all participants where respiratory masks may be removed.