Question about the 2020 National Show

[el48tel]

With the Coronavirus outbreak becoming more of a certainty, have any contingency plans been discussed?

[Chris L]

With the Coronavirus outbreak becoming more of a certainty, have any contingency plans been discussed?

Hopefully it will have blown over by then?

[ragamala]

With the Coronavirus outbreak becoming more of a certainty, have any contingency plans been discussed?

Hopefully it will have blown over by then?

Hopefully, too early to say - but the plan to attempt to delay the main hit until spring and summer doesn't give rise for optimism. Contain doesn't give the appearance of working.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... oss-the-uk

[el48tel]

With the Coronavirus outbreak becoming more of a certainty, have any contingency plans been discussed?

Hopefully it will have blown over by then?

Hopefully, too early to say - but the plan to attempt to delay the main hit until spring and summer doesn't give rise for optimism. Contain doesn't give the appearance of working.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... oss-the-uk

My thoughts exactly, hence my question.

[jhb]

I'm really not sure what contingency plans could be put in place. I'm just hoping it's not cancelled. Thing is we can't close the country down can we. Just think of all the public places:-train stations, bus stations, football stadiums, supermarkets that could be a possible risk. The list is endless. The National really is no different & I think we just need to be sensible about it.

[ragamala]

I'm really not sure what contingency plans could be put in place. I'm just hoping it's not cancelled. Thing is we can't close the country down can we. Just think of all the public places:-train stations, bus stations, football stadiums, supermarkets that could be a possible risk. The list is endless. The National really is no different & I think we just need to be sensible about it.

I think if you look at the government's potential strategies explained in the link fro my earlier post you will recognise that large gatherings, schools etc are in line for closure to reduce and slow the spread of the virus.

Whether this amounts to closing the country down, when 1 in 5 workers are, it is suggested, likely to be absent from work during the worst of the outbreak, is a point for discussion. Travel has obviously played a major part in the injection of the virus into the UK, and it will be seen in due course whether the government abandons any delaying action and resorts to mitigation. Which is accepting transmission and impact, and thinking about economic impact reduction rather than health impact.

We see in that government publicity talk of medication supplies. (Forget antivirus protection, that won't happen in time.) I have already been given the excuse for a delay in my wife's regular and vital medication that the delay was caused because of coronavirus impact. I can not say whether that is a justified reason, but it flags up the fact that this issue WILL have a serious impact, one way or another, and no-one, even here can bury their head in the sand.

In comparison with the above the National Show is a minor distraction maybe. If the UK continues its growth in cases, compared with other countries (Italy excepted), maybe foreign suppliers will make their own decisions as to whether they should attend.

In this situation I think it is perfectly valid for el48tel to ask what contingency plans have been discussed. I think he deserves a reply.

[Eric Williams]

Even if it is not cancelled, I am afraid that the public may well stay away due to the proximity of a crowd of people in a small confined space. Not only the public but growers who are thinking of showing may not attend. Very worrying for all concerned,and a shame. Cheers fingers crossed.

[Acid John]

Possibly best to stay sealed in your home surrounded with stockpiled toilet paper

[Tina]

No, the national is still going ahead. The shows committee are still very busy planning.

[el48tel]

No, the national is still going ahead. The shows committee are still very busy planning.

That has never been in any doubt. Since the National is a large financial and logistical committment for the Society, participants and vendors, my question was to ascertain whether there had been any debate and decision with an imminent and serious problem advancing at an increasing rate.