The Spanish government has agreed to lift Covid travel restrictions and allow all those registered to attend to this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona to enter Spain for the in-person event. Although non-EU citizens cannot currently enter the country, exceptions apply to specific groups of people, including “highly qualified workers”. The decision from the Spanish government now includes MWC21 Barcelona registrants – exhibitors, attendees, sponsors and partners – in this category, confirmed the GSMA.
The industry body will share details of MWC21 Barcelona registrants with Spanish authorities to facilitate entry into the country, meaning registrants who are currently denied entry, including those from China and the US, can attend the event. However, the veto will remain in place for individuals residing in high risk Covid-19 countries, as determined by the Spanish government, added the GSMA.
Although major vendors including Google, Intel, Cisco, Ericsson, Nokia, Sony, Facebook, BT and Oracle have pulled out of the in-person event, which is due to take place from 28 June to 01 July, the GSMA is still expecting to attract some 45,000 to 50,000 attendees, around half the usual number.
