The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) says there is no reason to cancel or postpone events such as exhibitions, conferences and other business meetings and the Australian government should come out and say so.

In a statement addressed to the country’s chief medical officer, professor Brendan Murphy,  EEAA said it was important the Australian government ‘does what other governments have done internationally, and declare public events low risk for the spread of the virus.’

Claudia Sagripanti, chief executive of EEAA said: “We want to reassure event attendees that events are, and can continue, operating in light of current advice from the government.”