Auto Expo 2020 is finally going to be held from 7th to the 12th of February 2020 after an unprecedented industry slowdown. With only a few days left for the first day of the show, there has been a growing concern regarding the safety of the event in light of the coronavirus breakdown. According to media reports, more than 7700 cases have been confirmed and a death toll of 170 has been reported due to coronavirus that originated in China.
A large number of people have been diagnosed with the Novel Coronavirus(nCoV) in China. This nCoV epidemic has spread to at least 15 other countries. The concern is brewing up day by day as this year’s Auto Expo will be featuring some prominent names from China - Great Wall Motors(GWM), commercial vehicle manufacturer Build Your Dreams(BYD), and Chinese state-owned first automobile work’ Haima Automobile. The presence of Chinese firms this year will be significantly higher. According to media reports, around 20 percent of the 40,000 sq. meter exhibition area at the Expo Mart in Greater Noida has been booked by Chinese companies.
With reference to a media report, Rajan Wadhera, President, SIAM, responded to the concerns over coronavirus threat in the context of the Auto Expo 2020 and said, “ We, as SIAM, have gone through the advisories issued by the ministry of health and are taking adequate precautions at the venue of the Auto Expo-the motor show”.
In relation to this, medical facilities have been added at the Components Expo, Pragati Maidan as several Chinese participants will be present there. While this nCoV epidemic has been declared as an emergency in China, other countries are also being warned to take necessary precautions in order to break the chain of transmission. Strict thermal screening has been installed at seven airports across India.
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