Path cleared for live ECOC 2021 in France
The organizers of ECOC 2021, slated for September 13-16, 2021 in Bordeaux, France, have stated that pandemic-related restrictions in France are relaxing sufficiently to make them confident that the event will be held live rather than fully virtually. The realities of COVID-19 had forced last year’s show to be held virtually.
The organizers noted that French President Emmanuel Macron revealed April 29, 2021, that conditions in the country had become less dire. He revealed a four-step plan to ease restrictions over the following two months. The plan calls for cafés and restaurants to reopen with indoor service on June 9, around which time “foreign visitors” (including from the U.S.) will be allowed to enter the country. Meanwhile, limits on the number of people at trade shows will be removed, “as long as participants carry a health pass,” in the words of the ECOC announcement. According to French media reports, the health pass or passport (pass sanitaire) will show either a vaccination certificate or a negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Exact details of how such a passport would be created have yet to be announced, although it is widely believed the passport will be app based.
The organizers also said that speakers who can not attend due to restrictions in their countries will be permitted to present remotely.
The transition from one of the four steps to the next is expected to take three weeks, although that time period may be extended if infection rates climb again. Nevertheless, the organizers believe time is on their side. “Another four months await us all before ECOC 2021 takes place, enough time for further good news,” they said.
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About the Author
Stephen Hardy
Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.
