Industry Update: What to Know About the Coronavirus, Toys & Toy Fair

February 11, 2020 | The Toy Association continues to be in close communication with key officials on the latest developments of the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and is also closely monitoring the threats it poses to members of the global toy community.

Last week, Toy Fair New York’s China Pavilion was cancelled following ongoing consultation with our partners and the exhibit space’s organizers, the China Toy & Juvenile Product Association. In addition, all show attendees from China, unrelated to the Pavilion, were notified that they are subject to the U.S. travel ban, which bars entry for all non-residents and non-nationals that have been in mainland China in the past 14 days.

With less than two weeks left until the show, The Toy Association continues to work with the Jacob K. Javits Center to ensure ample on-site safety measures are in place, including making sanitizing and disinfection materials widely and readily available for public use. While Toy Fair will not adopt a “no-handshake policy,” we encourage all show attendees to use their own due diligence and best judgment in helping prevent the spread of all germs as well as reference the World Health Organization’s suggested basic protective measures. This includes frequent hand-washing; covering your mouth or nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing and sneezing; maintaining a proper social distance (about three feet); avoid touching your eyes, nose, & mouth; and lastly, if you feel symptomatic, seek medical care. Toy Fair NY has always occurred each year during the height of the U.S. influenza season, so precautions are the norm during the show.

WHO-health-tips

Other Tips & Facts:

  • There have been no reported cases of coronavirus (residents or non-residents) in New York City or New York State (as of February 21).

  • According to the CDC, there is currently no evidence to support the spread of the virus through imported goods (i.e. products or packages shipped from China).

  • If you are travelling to New York for Toy Fair, be prepared for anticipated travel delays due to screenings at major New York international airports including, John F. Kennedy International and Newark-Liberty International. We also suggest monitoring all updates to travel advisories currently in effect.

“With plans set, precautions in place, and the annual success of Toy Fair New York for our exhibitors, buyers, and attendees foremost, we are as well focused on the impact the coronavirus is and may likely continue to have on manufacturing for the summer- and holiday-selling seasons,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association. “On the heels of achieving the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal, our members are faced with more uncertainty through extended suspension of work in both toy factories and elsewhere in the essential vertical supply chain that has made China an important global toy manufacturing hub. If the Chinese government continues to suspend work and prevent travel between provinces, workers will certainly be negatively impacted, the toy economy disrupted, and the global economy damaged.”

To read The Toy Association's latest statements on the coronavirus, click here. Members and show attendees will continue to be updated of any new developments as they unfold.