Covid Real Estate Fears

A major European interior design event has been postponed and one of the world’s top real estate consultancies has backed out of attending MIPIM, over concerns over the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Furniture design trade fair Salone Del Mobile was due to run in Milan from 21st to 26th April, but has been postponed to 16th-21st June in response to Italy’s virus outbreak.

“Following an extraordinary meeting today of the Board of Federlegno Arredo Eventi, and in view of the ongoing public health emergency, the decision has been taken to postpone the upcoming edition of the Salone del Mobile,” said the Milan event’s organisers.

“Confirmation of the change of date for the trade fair is strongly supported by the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, means that the manufacturers, in a major show of responsibility, will be able to present their finalised work to an international public that sees the annual appointment with the Salone del Mobile as a benchmark for creativity and design.”

Meanwhile, Cushman & Wakefield, has backed out of attending Europe’s biggest real estate conference, MIPIM, citing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. “The health and safety of our employees and our clients is a priority,” said the firm in a statement, “and with the rapidly increasing number of cases of Coronavirus in Europe and the elevated industry-wide concern around attendance at large multi-national events, Cushman & Wakefield has withdrawn from MIPIM 2020.”

MIPIM’s organisers have insisted that the event will go ahead in Cannes next month as planned, despite a growing number of coronavirus cases in nearby northern Italy. The trade event “will be open for business” from 10th March for “all clients who are not affected by national or local travel restrictions,” said Reed Midem. “We are continually monitoring developments and following the latest guidance from local, national and international authorities and the World Health Organization as it relates to travel to MIPIM and clients’ on-site experience.”

26,800 property professionals are due to descend on the Palais de Festivals in Cannes for four days next month, with over 6,000 attendees due to travel from the UK.

There will be some extra hygiene protocols in place at MIPIM to ward off the virus, including hand disinfectant in all public zones and a “reinforced” on-site medical team.

Italy currently has the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Europe (322), and the third-highest in the world after South Korea and China. The Lombardy region – which includes Milan – is most affected. The Italian government has declared a state of emergency and quarantined around 50,000 people in towns and villages near Milan.