Due to the ongoing uncertainty of the Omicron outbreak, the World Economic Forum cancelled its plan to hold a face-to-face annual meeting in Davos next month and extended the mandatory changes to the two-year high-octane network activity plan.

The annual gathering of executives, world leaders and activists was originally scheduled to take place from January 17 to January 21 in a Swiss ski resort known for its elite agenda. A statement from the World Economic Forum stated that it will be replaced by a series of online conferences, and plans to hold another side-to-side event for a period of time in the early summer of 2022.

The forum’s last face-to-face annual meeting was held in January 2020, when Covid-19 was impacting the consciousness of its international participants. Since then, the World Economic Forum has been forced to change its meeting schedule at least six times, and as the pandemic spreads, it has cancelled other dates and locations from Singapore to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.

The forum said on Monday: “The current pandemic situation makes it extremely difficult to hold a global face-to-face meeting.” “Although the meeting established strict health protocols, Omicron’s spreadability and its impact on travel and mobility have delayed the delay. Become necessary.”

The plan for the January meeting was formulated with strict security protocols in mind. All participants were told that they must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and need a PCR test 72 hours before arrival, another test to activate the badges that allow them to enter the main event area and hotels, and every 48 hours.

As people increasingly worry about Omicron’s risks to health and international travel, the number of registrations has been lower than usual. As of last week, approximately 2,000 people have registered for the January conference, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the people attending the 2020 event.

A seven-page health and safety document advises potential Davos participants to “avoid physical contact, including hugs and handshake,” and stipulates that only FFP2 masks that can prevent small aerosol particles can enter the activity safe area. The “buffet concept” will be replaced by individually packaged food parts.

If the meeting continues, any attendees who test positive for Covid will deactivate their badge access and will be forced to quarantine until local authorities contact.

Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, said: “The postponement of the annual meeting will not prevent business, government, and civil society leaders from continuing to convene digitally to make progress.” “Throughout the pandemic. , Public-private cooperation has been moving forward, and this cooperation will continue to develop rapidly. We look forward to bringing global leaders together personally soon.”