Amazon skips telecom fair MWC in Barcelona due to coronavirus

Amazon will not attend the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The company cites concerns about the coronavirus as the reason for the absence. Earlier, Nvidia and LG announced that they would skip the fair this year.

Amazon told CNBC that it would cancel its attendance at this year’s MWC due to the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, LG, Ericsson and Nvidia scrapped their plans to be exhibitors at the show and CNet claims to have been informed that Samsung wants to reduce its presence. The Korean company would still be present on the trading floor, but behind the scenes it would schedule fewer meetings. Chinese companies such as ZTE and Huawei are still present. ZTE has indicated that it will fly in fewer people.

Organizer GSMA meanwhile reports that the fair will continue as usual from 24 to 27 February. “The GSMA confirms that some major parties have decided not to come to the show this year, while others are still thinking about the next steps, but we remain 2800 exhibitors strong.”

The GSMA reports that it has taken a series of measures in response to the risks of the coronavirus, including extra hygiene and disinfection options for visitors and exhibitors. There is also a no-handshake policy at the fair and travelers who have been to China must prove that they have not been in that country at least two weeks prior to the event. In addition, the GSMA reports that it will be screened for temperature.