IMPACT fights flu virus

"We are taking measures to protect all our customers, including those in the MICE [meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions] business," Paul Kanjanapas, the managing director, said.

He added that Impact had set up a war room for brainstorming and updating information as it wants to restore the confidence of visitors, organisers, state agencies and business partners. In addition, it wants to show that the Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre is ready to do all it can to protect people from the virus.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has forecast a total revenue of Bt41 billion from the 500,000 visitors and 500 MICE events this year.

Impact is implementing strict hygiene measures in areas related to meetings and exhibitions, especially since the Public Health Ministry has temporarily banned large gatherings until the end of this month.

"Strict measures have been in force since July 15," Paul said, adding that Impact had ordered state-of-the-art equipment including ten thermal scanners, 60 infrared thermal guns and 60 automatic hand-spray cleansers, costing more than Bt40 million.

He said five thermal scanners and 19 infrared thermal guns had been installed last weekend, and that the rest of the equipment will be delivered and installed by Friday. He said Impact had also ordered another 200 automatic hand cleansers from Italy costing Bt35,000 each which will be placed at every entrance and meeting room.

Moreover, Impact has installed special filtering systems for air-conditioning units at Impact Arena and exhibition halls plus an air-filtering system in every other area.

Ambulances, nurses and assistant nurses are on stand by to take care of any visitor who takes ill during an event, and a quarantine room has been set up for people suspected of carrying the virus.

Paul added that the company had hired Property Care Services (Thailand) to sanitise the Impact Arena, Impact Challenger Hall, Impact Exhibition Centre, Impact Convention Centre as well as office buildings and surrounding areas.