February 25, 2020 - In response to various requests that have reached us within the last few days, the European Society of Radiology would like to issue the following updated statement regarding its annual meeting, the upcoming ECR 2020:

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement under the International Health Regulations (IHR) concerning Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the WHO has also declared that it does not recommend any travel or trade restriction based on the current information available.

Please refer to the WHO website for updated information.

Please note that there are no travel restrictions to Vienna or Austria nor any other limitations for congresses, private or public events. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection sees currently no need for recommendations or restrictions in regard to major events taking place in Vienna.

The Agency for Health and Nutrition, a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry, has issued a statement about the relatively low risk of the new coronavirus. The following precautions are recommended, in accordance with the WHO:

- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with water and soap

- When sneezing or coughing, cover mouth and nose with a tissue (not your hands!) or sneeze or cough in the crook of your arm; discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands

- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

- Avoid direct contact with sick people

- If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
At the congress venue, disinfectants will be provided in all washrooms and disinfection tissues will be available in our session rooms, the electronic poster presentation lounge, and all similar areas. Also, there will be a qualified medical team who is aware of the latest developments and regulations and fully equipped according to recommendations issued by the Austrian health authorities.

The ESR does, however, understand, if people refrain from travelling at this time, and particularly our colleagues from China may encounter obstacles in travelling as their medical expertise is needed in their home country.

The ESR is well-prepared and pleased to offer everybody everywhere to be part of the ECR online, regardless of any restrictions.

The ECR is a fully digital online congress and can be attended from anywhere in the world via our platform ECR Live on ESR Connect. Even the technical exhibition will be streamed online for the very first time. For some time now, we have been developing the ECR as online congress since onsite participation may decrease in coming years due to various factors such as climate change, increased environmental consciousness, compliance, time and travel restrictions.

Colleagues not able to attend in person can still experience ECR 2020 in full and claim CME credits for sessions attended online.

Also, everybody who has already bought a regular ticket has been granted access to ECR Live with CME credits for attended sessions.