MCEC unveils VenueSafe Plan, but extends closure to end of August

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has launched its VenueSafe Plan, designed to ensure the venue will be ready when it is safe to reopen. Chief executive of the MCEC, Peter King, said: “We’ve been working hard to ensure we have the right health measures in place to give our customers, visitors and people the confidence they need when our doors reopen”. “It’s safe to say that things may look a little different. However, we’re confident that with new measures in place, as part of our VenueSafe Plan, customers can continue to enjoy Melbourne’s leading destination for big ideas and inspirational events, when it is safe to return to our venue.” The MCEC VenueSafe Plan covers a range of public health, hygiene and physical distancing practices including a VenueSafe Advisory team made up of the MCEC’s safety and security team to ensure that employees, customers and contractors are following the Victorian government health measures, a detailed MCEC VenueSafe Plan which is available to download, and training all employees on Covid-19 safety and sanitation protocols. When it is safe to reopen, MCEC will only be open to events and visitors in attendance – it will not be possible to use MCEC as a public thoroughfare to the surrounding precinct. In addition, entry screening points including hand sanitising and temperature checks will be located at all MCEC entry and exit points, sanitisation stations containing at least 60% alcohol will distributed across MCEC at key entry points, customer service desks and other high traffic areas, and the frequency of routine cleaning will be increased across the venue. With the Victorian government’s current Covid-19 restrictions, MCEC has made the decision to extend its closure until midnight 31 August 2020.