News

A month after announcing new dates for this year’s Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) in Singapore, the organizer of the show has now postponed it indefinitely. The press release from Underwater360 details the measures taken by the Singapore authorities to control the spread of COVID-19, including the suspension till July 1 of “all events and gatherings with 250 or more participants in attendance at any one time.”

In the same press release, Underwater360 teases a new digital platform to take the show’s place called ADEX Pixel Expo. Neither the press release nor the website give much away about the platform, only to say that it will be the “First Exclusive Digital Platform” showcasing “a plethora of underwater and diving content that addresses ADEX’s diving, dive tourism and marine conservation industry and community.”

In the press release, Underwater360 CEO John Thet invites “every ADEX dive industry partners to be a part of this platform as this is the time to unite and fortify the dive industry and its community against an unprecedented future.”
 

PRESS RELEASE

SINGAPORE, MARCH 24, 2020 – In light of COVID-19 declared as a “pandemic” on March 11 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to the rapid global spread of the coronavirus outbreak, the governments of the world have been advised to change the course by taking an urgent and aggressive action.

Since the announcement, we have seen countries administering measures such as border closure, stringent travel bans and restrictions, country lockdown, and precautionary measures advisory for the general public practising “social distancing” or any activities involving close contact that can be a potential vector for transmission of the virus.   

As of today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 509 cases, 294 imported cases and 2 deaths across the country. Due to the increasing numbers of “imported” cases of the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore and the rapid escalation of death and those infected globally, the Singapore government has implemented a series of measures to reduce the risk of imported cases and slow down the transmission of the virus. They are as follows:

• General Advisory for Visitors
  
  From 23 March 2020, 2359 hours, all short-term visitors (from anywhere in the world) will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or to transit through Singapore. Singapore has also ceased port calls for all cruise vessels.
   
• General Advisory for Event Organisers
  
  From 20 March 2020 and 1 July 2020, all events and gatherings with 250 or more participants in attendance at any one time should be suspended. For events and gatherings with fewer than 250 participants, organisers and event venue operators are required to implement the necessary precautionary measures to ensure separation of at least a metre apart between participants. Organisers should also put in place precautions such as reducing the scale, improving ventilation, and implementing measures to facilitate contract tracing.

As the organiser of Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), we are once again faced to make another pragmatic business decision based on the current advisory measures by the government of Singapore. Herewith, we regretfully have to postpone and defer the event, originally scheduled for April 17-19 and May 29-31, 2020. The deferred event date will be advised at a later date.

This decision was reached after an extensive consultation with the relevant government authorities and agencies in Singapore, and in consideration to health and safety as the priority of the native Singaporeans, visitors, partners, stakeholders, exhibitors, speakers and industry partners.

Statement from Asia Dive Expo (ADEX)

“The year 2020 has been a challenging one for the global economy and the dive industry. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, as the organiser of Asia Dive Expo, we have been faced with new and multiple challenges facing this situation and we would like to assure you that every decision is made with careful considerations with the support and advisories from the Singapore government agencies.

I must admit that the experience has been a learning curve but in the positive light, ADEX has always been an event that convenes Asia’s dive industry and its community towards its vision – which is to entertain, educate and engage.

COVID-19 situation has affected the world’s travel industry considerably and the most challenged is the dive industry. In the stride of bringing the industry and its community under a single platform, Underwater360° is introducing ADEX to its digital phase – ADEX Pixel Expo. The first exclusive digital platform to represent “one industry. one ocean. one community”.

I hereby invite every ADEX dive industry partners to be a part of this platform as this is the time to unite and fortify the dive industry and its community against an unprecedented future.”

–– Mr John Thet
CEO, Underwater360

In conjunction with this announcement, Underwater360° encourages our partners, stakeholders, exhibitors, speakers and industry partners to be a part of our latest online platform, “ADEX Pixel Expo”. This online platform will be the “First Exclusive Digital Platform” showcasing a plethora of underwater and diving content that addresses ADEX’s diving, dive tourism and marine conservation industry and community. For more information, please visit www.adex.asia/pixel or email hello@uw360.asia.

Once again, Underwater360° deeply apologise and is appreciative to everyone in the diving, dive tourism and, the marine conservation industry for the support, cooperation and patience during this unprecedented times. While we try our best as an event organiser to navigate through this pandemic, we apologise for the inconvenience caused.