Coronavirus (COVID-19) – IALA Precautionary Measures
The IALA Secretariat has been closely monitoring developments of the impact of COVID-19 at local and global levels and has followed the advice provided by the World Health Organization, the Government of France, other Governments and actions taken by sister organizations. Based on available facts and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, the following precautionary measures have been implemented to avoid further transmission of the virus in our domain.
Previously announced:
- VTS-48 in Saint Germain en Laye, 02-06 March 2020 – cancelled
- ENAV-25 in Saint Germain en Laye, 16-20 March 2020 – cancelled
New initiatives:
- Heritage Seminar in Salvador, Brazil, 25-26 April 2020 – postponed
- ENG-11 in Salvador, Brazil, 27 April to 01 May 2020 – cancelled
- Joint IALA-IHO S-100/S-200 Workshop in Norway, 08-12 June 2020 – postponed
Furthermore, the IALA office in Saint-Germain-en-Laye will be physically closed until further notice, however the Secretariat will continue to function, as the staff will be working from home, attending to e-mails, mobile telephones and responding to the main telephone number +33 1 34 51 70 01. The staff of the IALA World-Wide Academy has decided to cancel its physical meetings and travel arrangements in the period 16 March to 13 April 2020.
To minimize the impact on the committee work programme and advance work on important work items, the Secretariat is prepared to facilitate online meetings as requested by chairs and vicechairs. Requests should be sent to committees@iala-aism.org.
In the latter half of 2020, meetings are expected to take place as planned. ENG-12 is expected to be moved to Salvador, Brazil together with the Heritage Seminar. Also, the Joint IALA-IHO S-100/S-200 Workshop is expected to take place in Norway in the latter half of 2020.
The Secretariat will continue to monitor developments, updating our website with any further news that may affect members and our operations. Decisions on further postponement or cancellation of events will be taken on a case by case basis.
Francis Zachariae,
Secretary-General