COVID-19 and FIG Working Week

Update - 24 March 2020

This week the Dutch Government announced new measurements to control the COVID-19 outbreak. In the Netherlands all gatherings are prohibited until 1 June. Therefore, the FIG Working Week cannot be held in May 2020. Our concern is also the wellbeing of you, and we would not take on the responsibility, during these times, to bring so many surveyors from all over the world together.

We know this comes as a disappointment. And each one of you was looking forward to present, to network and to demonstrate your research, projects and products to our FIG community. As well as to explore the vibrant city of Amsterdam and the unique countryside in the Netherlands.
We were also looking forward to welcoming you in Amsterdam in May.
However, it was not meant to be.

Options to postpone the event to August 2020 have been considered by the Steering Committee, but were finally discarded due to several uncertainties; amongst others the current travel restrictions to the European Union (Schengen-area) due to COVID-19. And for the moment, the Dutch embassies do not issue visas and we do not know how long this situation will last.

At the moment we are investigating the implications for FIG and the local organisers. We will inform you as soon as possible about your contributions to the technical programme, your registrations and sponsorships. Please be patient, we will get back to you.

Finally, may we remind you to please take action towards your personal itineraries (travel arrangements, hotel etc).

On behalf of FIG Working Week 2020 - Steering Committee

Ms. Louise Friis-Hansen

FIG Director and Co-Conference Director

Ms. Paula Dijkstra

Co-Conference Director FIG 2020

Update - 20 March 2020

The world is in turmoil due to the outbreak of COVID-19. For all of us the impact of COVID-19 is new and unexpected. Each of us as individual and organisation are challenged by this situation. Globally more and more measures are taken that impact our daily lives, our ways of doing business and how we travel. We understand your concerns and questions as participant, exhibitor, sponsor and member of FIG. It requires time and effort to find workable solutions under these circumstances.

FIG and the Local Organisers in the Netherlands are facing challenges on how best to address the various options for the FIG Working Week. We understand that you wait for a decision from our side. At this moment we are trying to find a solution that is based first and foremost on what is in the best interest of your health and well-being. Also it is our aim to mitigate the impact of this situation for you as participant, exhibitor, sponsor and member of FIG as much possible. Our decision will be directly influenced by the guidance and legal restrictions from the Dutch Government.

Due to the visa suspensions (see below) we recommend you to mitigate the financial risks for your personal itinerary (travel arrangements, hotel etc) as much as possible.

We will make an announcement about our decision the latest on 31 March.

Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, the Dutch Government has announced a complete visa suspension until at least 6 April, following the current measurements in the Netherlands related to COVID-19. Below it is explained what this means for attendees that are in need of a visa:

Participants who still need to apply for a visa: no visa applications will be processed. the appointment systems are closed. The Ministry indicates that the period (until 6 April) can be extended.
Accepted visas: cases with travel period until 6 April will be cancelled under code covid-19 (so the next time you apply, it is clear that this was the reason for cancellation). VFS will not contact these participants because visas have already been accepted. It is very likely that the period will be extended and it is wise to (re)consider your personal circumstances and planning.
Visas currently being processed: applications that are submitted up until yesterday will be processed and will be refused under code covid-19. VFS will inform the applicants about this and appointments will be cancelled.

For more information see: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands

We ask you for your understanding and your patience to await further information from us, at the latest on 31 March.

Update - 13 march 2020

FIG and the Local Organisers in the Netherlands are closely monitoring and evaluating the extraordinary situation with the COVID-19 virus. Right now the situation develops day by day and FIG and the local organisers are in close contact with partners and stakeholders in order to come to a decision as soon as possible on if and how to proceed with the FIG Working Week. With all the preparations that have been made so far we do hope to welcome you to Amsterdam 10-14 May. On the other hand the health of our participants are also of our concern and we also have a social responsibility that travels are done only when it is safe.

We understand that you wait for a decision from our side. We try to find the best solution and as soon as possible.
We will make an announcement the latest on 31st of March with a decision on whether to cancel or to continue with the preparations for the Working Week.

Update - 6 March 2020

The local organisers, FIG Council and FIG Office, are alert and closely following the developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are in contact with specialised institutions and partners, including the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands and are monitoring the travel recommendations.

For now the preparations for the Working Week continue “as normal”. Jointly we are preparing for a scenario in case the situation proves more serious than was previously expected. We will inform you if anything changes. There is still ten weeks to go and we can hope that the situation changes to the better.

The latest information and Q&A from the RIVM on the Corona virus can be found here.

This page will be updated with FAQ's.

You can follow the COVID-19 ArcGIS Hub

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you in Amsterdam.