More information can be found on the websites of the following institutions:
Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (Federal Ministry of Health)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Robert Koch Institute (German Health Institute)
News about the Corona virus
Dear Koelnmesse Customers and Partners,
Even in these times of the coronavirus pandemic, we have a safe and promising trade fair venue to offer our customers. With this in mind, in compliance with the terms of the Coronavirus Protection Ordinance of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia and in close coordination with the authorities in Cologne, we have drawn up measures for our trade fairs in Cologne that will seamlessly intermesh and govern the way we interact at the trade fair. Our goal is to provide the highest and most professional level of safety while creating an environment, in which our customers’ business can grow again. We firmly believe that, with this comprehensive catalogue of measures in place, we will be in a position to organise trade fairs in Cologne soon again.
Get a picture of our measures, which we have summarized under the keyword #B-SAFE4business .
We take seriously the difficult situation of our customers – and their concern for the health of their employees. However, we remain firmly convinced that, if all parties involved behave prudently, trade fairs can be held safely and successfully under new circumstances and subject to appropriate conditions. As event professionals, we see ourselves in a position to create framework conditions suitable to trade fairs, even in times such as these:
- Trade fairs with a B2B orientation are fundamentally different to sporting events and funfairs. With trade fairs, the focus is on personal conversations and business contacts.
- In keeping with this, the German government classifies exhibitors and visitors as "business travelers with an important reason". There is thus formally no longer a fundamental obstacle to participating in a trade fair in Germany. Find more information here.
- We are convinced that our trade fairs offer exhibitors and visitors ideal platforms for accelerating their return to business and for a rapid success after the crisis.
- We are also convinced that the participants of our trade fairs are aware of their responsibility and will stick to the safety regulations and precautionary measures.
- In Cologne, hotels, restaurants, transport companies and retailers have been familiar with the special features of the trade fair business for many years and prepare carefully for the return of their guests and customers.
- As central business platforms, trade fairs offer an indispensable way to quickly and sustainably return the economy to the greatest possible normalcy.
- Production, logistics, sales and communication will change, networking of the players, reactivation of economic relationships and the establishment of new business will be more important than ever before. It is essential for all market participants to actively prepare for this now.
We have an obligation to our customers and their sectors to offer them favourable prospects once again. The Koelnmesse event teams look forward to welcoming you to the trade fair grounds in Cologne.
You can find our current trade fair dates here.
Where can I get more information about the Corona virus?
How do the German, European and global trade fair associations advocate for the restart of trade fair business?
Trade fair associations at the German, European and global levels are campaigning in public and amongst political decision-makers for an restart of trade fairs in Germany and worldwide. Together with the trade fair sector, they have developed the appropriate framework conditions and measures and introduced these to the public. The details of these conditions can be found here:
What is to be considered in Cologne?
Cologne is well prepared to welcome its trade fair guests and offer them a pleasant stay of the best possible quality, even under the current conditions. Public life is working – with strict adherence to official rules and with responsible behaviour by local citizens and non-resident guests.
All responsible owners and institutions have developed and implemented measures and concepts for the safest possible handling of each other in accordance with the regulations of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, retail businesses, businesses in the hotel and restaurant sector and cultural and leisure facilities are open, subject to the corresponding conditions. Please note that this does not apply to the month of November: cultural, sports and leisure facilities have been closed since Monday 2 November, also public houses, restaurants and bars. The collection and delivery of food is still permitted. Retail outlets will remain open subject to hygiene requirements. Accommodation for tourist purposes is not permitted, but will continue to be available for business travellers.
A mouth nose protection covering the mouth and nose must be worn in all commercial, cultural and leisure facilities with public and customer traffic as well as in passenger transport. The city of Cologne recommends that people generally wear a mouth nose protection in public places. Anyone travelling in places where a mouth nose protection is mandatory, e.g. in shops, without appropriate protection will be punished by a fine.
In Cologne and the surrounding region, a minimum distance of 1.5 m must always be kept between people in public spaces. There are exceptions for families and members of the same household.
Public transport – buses, trains and taxis – is running. The nearby Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt airports are in operation.
Passengers on buses and trains must also wear a mouth nose protection. Non-compliance with this rule is a punishable offence. Permanent air exchange is ensured in the vehicles.
Pubs and restaurants are subject to strict hygiene and infection protection standards. Mouth nose protections are mandatory both indoors and outdoors. These may be removed once you have taken a seat at a table to eat and drink. All service staff wear mouth nose protections. Guests must leave their personal data for tracking purposes. Please note that since 2 November, public houses and food outlets such as restaurants and bars will remain closed.
Hotels are implementing individual hygiene concepts that are based on the same rules. The individual establishments are happy to provide information about these.
Shops are generally open regardless of their size. They communicate their rules of conduct individually in the entrance areas. One person is allowed per 10 m² of sales area.
More Information
- Regulations of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (German only)
- Information of the touristic federation of North Rhine-Westphalia (Tourismus NRW e.V.)
As of 18.03.2021