Wood-based panels organisations remain vigilant over coronavirus

The CPA said it was continuing to closely monitor developments related to the COVID-19 coronavirus, while the EPF has decided that its quarterly meetings planned for March 24-26 will no longer take place.

The CPA said its top priority is to continue to closely monitor developments through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the state of California as well as the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. 

It said the CPA Spring Conference is still scheduled to take place at the end of April, but on March 11 the California Department of Public Health did issue a ban on all conferences of 250 people or more for “at least the remainder of March”.

“The CPA Spring Meeting on April 26-28 is larger than 250 people, so should California’s Department of Public Health decide to extend this ban through April, our meeting would clearly be impacted,” it said. 

“For now, we will keep registration open until a final decision is made on whether or not to cancel. In the event of a cancellation, registration and exhibit fees paid to CPA will be fully refunded.”

The CPA will continue to monitor the situation closely and will make a decision about its Spring Meeting at or near April 1. “We remain hopeful that the industry will come together in Dana Point, California.”

The EPF took its quarterly meetings cancellation decision after “intensive consideration, and based on feedback from several members”.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this change causes you, but we do hope that you agree with us that this was the appropriate and correct decision to make given the unique circumstances,” it said.