Diversified Communications, organizers of the Seafood Expo North America trade show set for March in Boston, said Friday it is working with the appropriate authorities in the city of Boston to monitor events related to the coronavirus pandemic, both in the United States and internationally.
"The current situation has not impacted attendee and exhibitor registration, and we look forward to a successful event," the company said in a statement.
Diversified said it encourages exhibitors and visitors to take preventive measures and monitor information from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
In addition, it said, the Massachusetts Port Authority in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control have begun to screen for international travelers through the Boston port of entry at Logan Airport for any signs of illness related to the coronavirus.
On Friday, the Trump administration announced travel restrictions on any foreign nationals that have traveled to China in the past two weeks, effective Sunday, Feb. 2.
The Seafood Expo North America is still more than a month away. However, visitors will likely face logistical challenges as multiple US airlines have cancelled flights to and from mainland China.
Last year, Diversified canceled its Seafood Expo Asia trade event, which was scheduled to take place in Hong Kong in early September, in response to ongoing social unrest in the country.
The 2016 event, from which several large companies pulled out over security concerns, covered about 5 percent less space at the convention center – 35,862 square meters compared to 36,063 square meters the year before.
Diversified announced recently that the Brussels show would be moving to Barcelona, Spain, in 2021.
