Over the past six weeks, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread from China around the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared it to be a pandemic. As Christians, we have a responsibility to care for others and one another, creating safe working and meeting environments. We need to be involved as part of the solution rather than potentially becoming part of the problem.
Reviewing the latest developments and the advice from the WHO, the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS), and Public Health England, the Trans-European Division Administrative Committee took action on March 12, 2020, to cancel all major TED events between now and the General Conference session, which starts on June 25, 2020, in Indianapolis, United States. This includes:
Information on future developments and possibilities for rescheduling events for a later date will be uploaded on the TED website in due course.
The TED apologizes for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this decision and continues to pray for all those who are being affected in so many ways by this pandemic.
March 17 Update
On March 17, following government advice that “everyone should work from home if they can,” and in full consideration that we have a responsibility for all staff health and well-being, TED leaders voted “that all staff should work from home, if they can, until April 20, 2020.” Leaders said they recognize some core functions require a presence in the office, and there is also provision for those who voluntarily wish to come to the office.
In an e-mail to Adventist Review, TED communication director Victor Hulbert confirmed that all scheduled meetings will continue as planned via video link.
“Staff are continuing to work effectively and creatively to provide appropriate support during this difficult period,” he wrote.
Across the TED
Precautions and government advice are equally affecting other parts of our territory. For instance:
The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.