COVID-19 Safety Plan
This plan explains the safety measures we will implement to address the risks posed by COVID-19. They are aligned with Dutch government requirements, industry best practice and venue safety policy.
In line with Dutch government regulations, everyone attending Broadband World Forum will be asked for a coronavirus entry pass. That means that you will need to provide either A) proof of full vaccination with any vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency or B) a negative Covid-19 test for every 24 hour period you’re at the show. Whether or not there will be testing facilities onsite at the show is to be confirmed, as it stands the RAI have testing facilities onsite but this may change over the coming weeks and you may need to visit a local testing site to take a rapid test before gaining entrance to the show each day.
Using the coronavirus entry pass system means that:
- There is no need to wear a face mask;
- Social distancing is necessary when walking around the show and exploring the expo, but not necessary when seated; and
- A two thirds capacity is required in all seated areas such as conference rooms and catering
Read on for an explanation of the full range COVID-19 safety measures which we will have in place. There’s also a Frequently Asked Questions section at the end.
By implementing these safety measures, you can have every confidence that when you come to Broadband World Forum, we are taking all reasonable precautions to keep you safe. That leaves you free to get on with the most important thing: gaining access to the connections, conversations and ideas that will transform not just your business but the whole industry.
GETTING THROUGH THE HEALTH CHECKPOINT
Each day, you’ll need two things to get into the show:
1. Your Broadband World Forum badge and a wristband, (which you’ll pick up by passing through a government health checkpoint at the Rai). A new wristband is required for each day of the show.
Facemasks aren’t mandatory inside the show but they will be required in the checkpoint & testing areas.
There are 2 ways to pass through the checkpoint each day and get your wristband:
2. Proof of Vaccination
OR
2. Negative Covid Test Result
Option 1: Proof of Vaccination
Step 1: Bring your proof of vaccination and photo ID with you to the venue each day
Step 2: Head to the checkpoint, where your proof of vaccination will be checked and you will receive a wristband for the day
Step 3: Head to badge pick-up to collect your badge, or to the main entrance if you already have your badge
Step 4: Enjoy the show!
If you’ve been fully vaccinated, brilliant - no Covid test required for you to enter the show. Just bring your proof of vaccination or EU Digital COVID Certificate, and your photo ID, to the show with you each day to get through the checkpoint.
The government requirements for proof of vaccination can be found here. If you’re travelling from outside the EU, the proof of vaccination will need to be in paper form. The checkpoint can accept proof of any vaccine that has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or is on the Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization (WHO); the full list of acceptable vaccines is available on this page.
If you have proof of vaccination, when you arrive at the show each day you can skip the test centre and head straight to the checkpoint. Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of BBWF team members available to help you find the right place!
Once you’ve been through the checkpoint and picked up your wristband for that day, you can head straight to badge pick-up (if you don’t have your badge yet) or the main entrance (if you’ve already collected your badge). Enjoy the show!
Option 2: Negative Covid Test Result
Step 1: Pre-book your test slot for each day of the show (currently not available for BBWF event dates)
Step 2: Head to the test centre for your appointment (and don't forget your photo ID!)
Step 3: Wait for your test results while chilling with a coffee in the waiting area
Step 4: Head to the checkpoint, where your negative test results will be checked and you will receive a wristband for the day
Step 5: Head to badge pick-up to collect your badge, or to the main entrance if you already have your badge
Step 6: Enjoy the show!
If you don’t have proof of vaccination, no problem. There are free-of-charge testing facilities in the Netherlands and your negative antigen test result can be used to pass through the checkpoint instead. Remember that in the Netherlands these test results are only valid for a maximum of 24 hours, so you’ll have to get a new test each day when you arrive at the venue.
It’s really important to pre-book your test for each day so the test centre can match your results to your name & contact info. Please note: the dates for BBWF are currently unavailable to book yet so check back nearer to the event! When you’re choosing a time for your appointment, make sure you leave enough time for your test results to come through and to clear the checkpoint before your first content session or meeting of the day. You can book your test slot for each day at this government website. It’s very easy but it has been translated into English so please bear that in mind.
There are lots of test centres in Amsterdam and they’re all totally free of charge! Don't forget to bring your photo ID, so the test centre staff know it's you!
There are waiting areas inside the test centres where you can wait for your results - they should take 15-25 mins to come through to you. Once you’ve received your negative test result, you can head to the checkpoint (again, this will be really clearly marked so it’s easy to find) and pick up your daily wristband.
Once you’ve been through the checkpoint and picked up your wristband for that day, you can head straight to badge pick-up (if you don’t have your badge yet) or the main entrance (if you’ve already collected your badge). Enjoy the show!
KEY MEASURES
Cleaning & Hygiene
Enhanced Cleaning
We will undertake enhanced deep cleaning before, during and after the show, working with venue partners to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. This includes continuous sanitisation throughout the course of the event, with a focus on high-touch areas such as door handles, restrooms and food & beverage areas.
Personal Hygiene
We will provide hand sanitising stations throughout the event space, encouraging all participants to regularly wash and disinfect their hands.
Social Distancing
Registration Process
We will use minimal touch terminals to minimise queuing and contact during the registration process. All attendees MUST be registered in advance.
Physical Contact
We request that participants avoid physical contact, such as handshakes and embraces, and will be promoting alternative ways to greet business partners. The exchange of printed materials, such as business cards and sales brochures, will also be discouraged.
Physical distancing
As of 25th September, the 1.5m social distancing rule will be abolished in line with Dutch regulations and venue or other relevant guidance. Despite there being no need to distance we would still recommend you do so and be respectful of others who wish to maintain a 1.5m distance from their peers.
Food and beverage
Our team will work closely with venue partners to employ the highest standard of food safety, including by minimising self-service buffets in favour of chef served food options. When eating or drinking, all delegates must take a seat in the designated areas.
Protect & detect
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
We will be using the Coronavirus entry pass system which means that facemasks are not required. Anyone who prefers to wear a mask is welcome to do so.
Medical
We will have a team of qualified first aiders on site and a separate quarantine area. Please do not attend the show if you are feeling unwell. We will follow the Dutch health authority guidance on detecting and managing anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19.
Health screening
In line with Dutch government regulations, everyone attending the show will be asked for a coronavirus entry pass, proof of full vaccination (including NHS app & International apps/paper confirmations) with any vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency, or a negative Covid-19 test for every 24 hour period you’re at the show.
Trace and contact
In the event of any positive test results, we will cooperate with the Dutch authorities to trace and contact participants. We will always conform with Dutch and international standards for data privacy and information sharing.
FAQS
What measures are being followed at the show?
Broadband World Forum will be run in line with the guidance of the Dutch government, and any venue-specific regulations. These are being constantly reviewed and we will adjust our Safety Plan as necessary in line with the latest medical advice and government requirements.
Will I need to provide evidence of a COVID-19 vaccine?
In line with Dutch government regulations, everyone attending the show will be asked for a coronavirus entry pass. That means that you will need to provide either:
Proof of vaccination. Certificate of full vaccination for COVID-19, with any vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
OR
A negative test result. If you don’t have proof of vaccination, you will need a negative test result from a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR test. Whether or not there will be testing facilities onsite at the show is to be confirmed, as it stands the RAI have testing facilities onsite but this may change over the coming weeks and you may need to visit a local testing site to take a rapid test before gaining entrance to the show each day.
How do I provide my COVID-19 vaccination status?
Individuals that received their vaccination within the EU can provide a valid Digital Vaccine Certificate issued by your national health services.
Vaccine validation via the NHS app are now being accepted as proof of vaccination to gain entry to the show as well as International (outside the EU) certificates in digital or paper form.
Can you guarantee my safety at the show?
No environment can ever be 100% safe.
We are putting in place a comprehensive range of enhanced safety measures that make the health and safety of everyone who attends our absolute priority.
Through measures such as enhanced deep cleaning before, during and after events, distancing and crowd management, and the deployment of screening and protective equipment, we are striving to provide the highest standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness, whilst still ensuring that our clients, partners and colleagues can access the connections, conversations and ideas that they need.
Will there be testing onsite and what will the process for this be?
Whether or not there will be testing facilities onsite at the show is to be confirmed, as it stands the RAI have testing facilities onsite but this may change over the coming weeks and you may need to visit a local testing site to take a rapid test before gaining entrance to the show each day.
How do I provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test, if I would prefer to handle this myself?
PCR or rapid antigen tests are accepted, provided that the sample is taken within 24 hours of your arrival at the show. Every time you want to enter the show (if you visit the show every day, this will be 3 times), you’ll need to show a negative test result less than 24 hours old. Free tests are available from a range of approved government suppliers.
The Testing for Entry scheme is managed by the Dutch government and is free for all visitors. More detailed FAQ on the Dutch government’s Testing for Entry scheme can be found here.
Can I use proof of recovery from COVID-19 to gain access to BBWF?
Yes, an official proof of recovery document can be used as an alternative to a vaccination certificate to gain access to the show if it meets Dutch requirements.
Anyone who tested positive following a PCR or Antigen test conducted by an official healthcare provider can obtain a recovery certificate. Please note that self-administered tests cannot be used to obtain a recovery certificate.
International visitors should contact the organisation that conducted the test and ask for proof of recovery.
Please note that proof of recovery cannot be issued in the Netherlands on the basis of a positive test taken abroad and so this must be obtained prior to travel.
To qualify for proof of recovery you must have provided a positive test at least 11 days previously and no more than 180 days ago.
Do I need to wear a mask if I’ve already had a COVID-19 vaccine?
Face masks are currently only required in the Netherlands in places where the 1.5m distancing rule cannot be met, such as travelling on public transport. Whilst at BBWF, we will be implementing the Coronavirus entry pass system so masks will not be required.
Current medical advice is that vaccines do not completely eliminate the risk of transmission between people. Once vaccinated, you can still host the virus and transmit it to others. Wearing a mask and other safety measures will help to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
We will be closely monitoring the guidelines and medical advice and updating our safety measures as necessary in the lead up to the show.
Will I need to be tested if I’ve already had a COVID-19 vaccine?
Provided that you have a valid vaccination certificate you will not need to be tested.
What happens if I test positive?
Under Dutch law, if you test positive you will need to self-isolate for ten days and the same applies to anyone in your household. You will not be given a COVID Certificate and therefore will not be allowed to attend BBWF.
The test provider will report your result to the Dutch Municipal Health Services (GGD). The GGD then calls you and will try to identify any close contacts and the source of infection. You do not have to call the GGD or complete any additional testing. Further information from the Dutch Government is available here:
How will my personal information be protected?
In order to meet contact tracing requirements, your personal data will be held in accordance with GDPR for 28 days and shared with Dutch public health authorities if requested.
What happens if there is a lockdown where I live or if I have to quarantine on the way there or back?
If you find yourself in any of the below scenarios within the 14 days before the show, we’ll be happy to move your pass across to next year's show in 2022 so that you can have peace of mind that it won't go to waste:
- The country/state that you live in closes its borders to travel
- The country/state you live in issues advice not to travel to Amsterdam
- The country/state you live in has imposed an unavoidable quarantine on return from travel
- There is an unavoidable quarantine on arrival in Amsterdam
- There is a further lockdown phase in the country/state you live in that prevents you from leaving your home except for essential requirements then your pass will be transferred to the next edition of the show
We'd also be happy to help you transfer your pass to a colleague or client to attend in your place if you prefer.
What are the latest travel restrictions?
For the latest advice on travel to and from Amsterdam, please consult the following websites:
- Dutch Government - Travelling to the Netherlands from abroad; and
- Government website for your country of residence