BVNA calls off 2020 congress

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) has announced the 47th BVNA congress will not go ahead this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The congress, which was due to take place in October this year, made the decision to cancel due to a number of BVNA members, exhibitors and speakers, expressing concerns about their health and safety if they attended this year’s event.

Also, others reported that their employers were not allowing them to travel to external events until after Christmas this year.

The BVNA said that the final decision to call it off, was founded on the “uncertainty” facing large-scale events going ahead due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, and the health risks to BVNA members, speakers, exhibitors, suppliers, staff and the public.

The organisation has also announced plans for a virtual event to celebrate the veterinary nursing profession and the BVNA, and will include keynote speakers, interactive workshops, live interviews, themed virtual networking, and evening social quizzes.

Jo Hinde, BVNA president, said: “This is the first time that the BVNA have not been able to hold our congress and it was an exceptionally sad decision to have to make, however it is vital that we play our part in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and put public safety first.”