The Expo 2020 Dubai has addressed in an official statement - concerns about its plans and preparations - amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In its response to the ongoing situation, Expo 2020 Dubai stated that it will be "closely monitoring ongoing developments and taking all sensible precautions to manage and mitigate the risk to all those involved [in the mega event]," adding that it is adhering to the guidelines issued by the Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), and World Health Organisation, with due diligence.

The official body further stated that it is in close consultation with all 192 participating countries, and "will continue to provide [the countries] with tangible, meaningful support."

In addition, it will "virtually reconvene the Expo 2020 Steering Committee in the coming weeks to reassess and adjust planned preparations, as changing circumstances require."

Recently, Construction Week reported about the preparedness of all country pavilions despite the ongoing situation.

Commenting on the impact of the global phenomenon on the event, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and director general of the Expo 2020 Dubai, HE Reem Al Hashimy, said: “As hosts of the next World Expo, due to open in seven months, we always knew that 2020 was going to be demanding. What we could not predict is that we would be doing so in the midst of the biggest global health crisis in generations.

Our immediate priority is the health and well-being of everyone involved in Expo 2020 Dubai, and this will not be compromised."