Coronavirus GA2020 Statement 3 – April 2020
Australia ICOMOS and the GA2020 team continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and extend their best wishes to ICOMOS members, their families and to the global cultural heritage community.
Australia ICOMOS is regrettably not able to host the ICOMOS General Assembly in Sydney in October 2020.
The Australia ICOMOS Executive Committee has reluctantly reached this decision in view of current restrictions and uncertainties about when social and economic life and international travel will return to normal in Australia and worldwide.
Australia ICOMOS will host a ‘marker’ event in October 2020 to acknowledge the enormous support and goodwill shown towards planning GA2020. The form of this event (which may occur online) is yet to be determined.
Australia ICOMOS is currently considering whether it can offer to host the General Assembly in 2023. This is a complex exercise and a final decision will be made and announced during May 2020.
In the meantime, the GA2020 registration process has been suspended, interested parties are being advised, and preparatory activities for 2020 have now ceased.
Australia ICOMOS acknowledges the difficulties that ICOMOS faces in holding its required statutory meetings in 2020, and also that these difficulties will need to be resolved at the International level.
Australia ICOMOS will continue to place the health and safety of delegates and ICOMOS and venue staff at the forefront of our decision making. We will continue to follow the advice of the World Health Organisation and to comply with the requirements of the Australian Government.
Australia ICOMOS remains committed to supporting and enriching the global work of ICOMOS.
Coronavirus GA2020 Statement 2 – April 2020
Australia ICOMOS and the GA2020 team continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and extend their best wishes to ICOMOS members and their families.
It is apparent that owing to global and domestic travel restrictions, altered economic circumstances and general risk and uncertainty, it will not be possible for GA2020 to proceed as originally envisaged in October 2020.
We are examining alternative scenarios, including modification, deferral and cancellation of the event in Sydney. A final decision (including consideration of refunds, where applicable) will be made and announced during May 2020.
In the meantime, the GA 2020 registration process and marketing activities are currently suspended and other preparatory activities will be scaled-back or adjusted.
We will continue to place the health and safety of GA2020 delegates and ICOMOS and venue staff at the forefront of our decision making. We will follow the advice of the World Health Organisation and will comply with the requirements of the Australian Government.
Australia ICOMOS remains committed to supporting and enriching the global work of ICOMOS.
Coronavirus GA2020 Statement 1 – March 2020
We understand many of you may have concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how that may affect GA2020 in Sydney, this coming October.
Australia ICOMOS and the GA2020 team are monitoring the COVID-19 situation, which is changing very rapidly at present. At this time, there are a range of restrictions in place, which affect travel to Australia. As this is a rapidly-evolving situation, it is not possible to provide advice about travel in September / October, nor to speculate about the prospect that GA2020 may be amended, deferred or cancelled.
We will at all times place the health and safety of GA2020 delegates at the forefront of our decision making. We will follow advice of the World Health Organisation and will comply with the requirements of the Australian Government.
We may issue a revised registration timetable and updated cancellation and refund policy – and would do so well before the current GA2020 early bird registration date of 3 June 2020.
