GSMA CMO Stephanie Lynch-Habib expressed her desire to show the world that the mobile ecosystem can come back and reunite at MWC 2021 Barcelona in June, as the organization revealed its plan to ensure health and safety at the event.

Speaking to Mobile World Live, Lynch-Habib said the time was right to show the world what can be done and inspire more confidence that in-person events can return in the era of Covid-19.

Lynch-Habib explained that the GSMA is confident that its event in Barcelona can be held safely after a successful physical MWC held in Shanghai last month. Mobile World Live previously revealed that the GSMA is targeting up to 50,000 people to attend.

Committed Community

The GSMA shared details of Committed Community, a health and safety plan developed in coordination and approved by the Catalan health authorities responsible for governing MWC21 and an extensive list of partners.

The plan will affect everyone involved in the event and is designed to create a safe environment for staff, workers, exhibitors, visitors, suppliers, partners and the local community.

A Check In To Get In approach is being taken and attendees are required to download the event's My MWC app. This will act as a digital badge that will activate and allow entry once registration, self-declaration and testing is complete.

The GSMA plan includes frequent testing and all participants must present a valid negative rapid test to enter the venue. The test must be repeated every 72 hours, with participants notified via the My MWC app of the upcoming expiration. Several testing centers will be available to provide rapid testing.

Other initiatives outlined by GSMA include contact tracing, contactless environments, refreshed catering, occupancy monitoring, one-way traffic flows, upgrades to facility infrastructure and increased medical staffing.

Attendees are expected to complete a daily health questionnaire on the My MWC app and make regular use of the 1,300 sanitizer dispensers placed around the venue, as well as wear an FFP2 mask (filtering facepiece respirators) and adhere to social distancing requirements.

The plan is based on the Safety and Prevention Protocol against Covid-19, which is currently being implemented by the Fira de Barcelona venue.

Lynch-Habib added that the plan could be modified at any time in response to an evolving Covid-19 situation, and the company was open to talking to customers about various options.

The GSMA acknowledged that the event's audience will be a mix of physical and virtual attendees, and is planning a hybrid show.

The plan does not count on vaccines being at a specific level, Lynch-Habib explained, but added that the company was confident that its leaked testing plan, along with “very rigorous” health and safety measures, would make it safe to go ahead with the event. .

“We are truly committed to ensuring that the MWC safety experience is filtered throughout the entire journey, from the moment you board a flight, bus, train or car, to the moment you leave Barcelona,” the executive said.