The GSMA, organizers of Mobile World Congress (MWC), yesterday confirmed their intention to host live attendees at the event June 28 through July 1, 2021 in Barcelona through the release of a new health and safety plan. Dubbed “Committed Community” and developed with Catalan health authorities such as the Department of Business and Knowledge of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Technical Committee of the Procicat, the plan will require attendees to adhere to strict protocols, including testing at the event.

The restrictions begin before attendees arrive at the Fira de Barcelona event site. Those who plan to fly to Barcelona will be required to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test before being allowed to board their plane. Those arriving “by train or car will be directed to MWC relevant testing centres to validate their health status,” according to the GSMA. Once in Barcelona, attendees will be tested before first admittance to the show venue. That test will need to be repeated every 72 hours during the show’s run. Attendees also will need to complete a health questionnaire each day presented via the show’s My MWC app. Attendees also will undergo temperature checks at all access points.

Despite such a gauntlet, show organizers expect to welcome between 45,000 and 50,000 attendees, according to press reports, thanks to the safety these protocols will enable. "We've worked with partners, health authorities, and medical professionals to create a plan that builds confidence in our return to in-person events,” asserted John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd. “No doubt, Covid-19 is our biggest challenge to date. But our experience gives us a rock-solid foundation from which we have built our plan. This foundation means MWC21 Barcelona can go ahead safely, in person, with a digital online component for those unable to attend. It will remain the unique, unmissable experience that has made it the world's most important mobile event."

As Hoffman noted, the 2021 version of MWC will welcome digital attendance for the first time. “Especially for our Exhibitors and Sponsors, as you evaluate your participation in MWC, we have worked on options and developed ways to modify your MWC experience,” the GSMA adds. Details of those modifications were not released.

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