Finance professionals travelling to Boston for the Sibos 2014 conference from 29th September to 2nd October should be aware that security measures have been increased to help stop the spread of infectious illnesses such as the Ebola virus.
Sven Bossu, head of Sibos at SWIFT, has issued a statement saying: “To strengthen the security and safety of all Sibos delegates, this year’s onsite security measures will, in addition to the usual metal detectors at each entrance, include thermal scanners to detect elevated body temperatures and possible infectious illnesses.”
The precautions, he says, have been put in place in response to warnings by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that “emerging and re-emerging epidemic diseases pose an ongoing threat to global health security.”
“With visitors from more than 130 countries and the WHO’s global safety warnings regarding recent outbreaks, such as the Ebola virus disease, we take extremely seriously the safety of our delegates and will therefore ensure preventative measures are in place,” Bossu continued. “The WHO recommends that if you develop symptoms indicative of a viral disease, including high fever, body aches and nausea, you report to the nearest health facility immediately. Early isolation and professional clinical treatment reduce the risk of transmission to others, while enhancing your own chance of a full and speedy recovery.”
Should any delegates become unwell while at Sibos, there will be a nurse station on level one of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
