Frankfurt attendees will need proof of vaccination or negative test

Attendees at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October will have to provide documentation showing they are fully vaccinated or that they have been tested for Covid-19 and are negative.

In an update on health and safety at the fair, which is set to go ahead physically at around 50% capacity, organisers said admission to the fairgrounds will only be possible with a personalised ticket and proof people are Covid-free, either through vaccination or a negative test.

The layout of exhibition halls and limited total number of participants will help prevent overcrowding, while video feeds will monitor the distribution of visitors across the fairgrounds as well as adherence to social distancing requirements. Additional staff will also be deployed to implement the health and safety plan and to ensure all safety measures are being adhered to.

The health and safety plan is in keeping with the Covid-19 regulations issued by the state of Hesse and in close co-operation with local health authorities. The plan will be continually updated and the book fair team will support exhibitors with detailed recommendations and advice.

Sixty countries have so far registered to take a stand at the fair, which will run from 20th to 24th October this year. There are also plans for award ceremonies to take place at the fair and for a programme of events across Frankfurt. It will also feature digital and hybrid offerings.

North America, Latin America and Asia will all be represented in the exhibition halls with national stands, as will the major European book markets, including France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe, organisers said. English and French-language publishing houses from Canada will also be welcoming visitors at collective stands at the fair. Virtually all of the major German publishing groups and a range of German-language literary and non-fiction publishers have registered to take part.