The date for the World Tunnel Congress 2020 is now being shifted from May to September. The World Tunnel Congress (WTC) 2020 had been due to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 15th – 21st May 2020 but will now be held from 11th – 17th September 2020.
The organisers decided to delay the event due to the spreading Corona Virus in Asia-Pacific as well as in Europe. “The health and safety of our colleagues are of the utmost importance to the ITA and IEM (the Malaysian Tunnelling Technical Group - ITA Member Nation in Malaysia)”, explained ITAAITES WTC 2020 organising chairman Ir Dr Ooi Teik Aun.
The WTC 2020 organising committee, in cooperation with ITA, sponsors, exhibitors, lecturers, reviewers, ITA Member Nations, ITA Working Groups and Committees have been working hard to bring a successful World Tunnel Congress. “But after considering various possibilities, the development of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Asia-Pacific and as well as in Europe and other parts of the world leads us to shift the date of the WTC.”
Indeed, it is not possible at the moment to predict the evolution of this virus and many people could have been forced not to be able to participate. On the other hand, for the time being, the World Health Organisation recommends limiting mass gatherings.
“We know that, for some of you, this change of date may not be ideal; however, it seemed to us the best solution to be able to organise this major event for the entire tunnelling industry,” said Ir Dr Ooi Teik Aun.
The congress venue has been secured for this change to September 2020 and the WTC 2020 Organising Committee is working with the hotels and all associated venues to make all the necessary changes accordingly.
