2020 April Business Meeting Status Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

With the SNOMED International 2020 April Business Meetings in London fast approaching, we wish to provide you with an update about actions that the organization is taking around the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Rest assured that the health, safety and well-being of our community remains our highest priority.

SNOMED International continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and the health risk for the general British public is considered low at this time, according to the latest summary from the UK government's Department of Health and Social Care. 

As of March 4, 2020, SNOMED International’s April Business Meetings are proceeding as scheduled.

We each have a personal responsibility to do our part to incorporate basic, protective measures into our everyday routine.  World Health Organization (WHO) recommended measures include:

• Frequent hand washing: We have made provisions to have hand sanitizer onsite and readily available.

• Maintain social distancing: Maintain a 1m distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth: 2020 April Business Meetings will be a handshake free zone.

• Practice respiratory hygiene: If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask (available on site) if you are taking care of a person with suspected COVID-19 infection.

SNOMED International will continue to follow the guidance of the UK government and the WHO and will provide frequent updates to you, our Community of Practice.  We will ensure that easy access to clinicians, personal protective equipment (e.g. masks) and alternatives to in-person participation are available.  We are also communicating regularly with our venue, the Waldorf Hilton London, about any proposed protocols and procedures they may have.

Please be advised that SNOMED International will cancel the 2020 April Business Meetings if we feel that the COVID-19 risk to our Community of Practice is too great, and we will advise with sufficient notice to respect the impact to your travel plans.

We encourage our attendees to bookmark the April Business Meeting event page to keep up to date on relevant news items.  We also encourage you to monitor your relevant government department websites for the latest advice regarding travel to the UK.

If you have any questions, please click here to contact the SNOMED International Events Team.  Assuming circumstances remain unchanged, we look forward to seeing you in London.