Updated 22 April 2020 at 19:00 (Originally published on 2nd February 2020 at 11:23am)
New Information
The COST Association has now asked that all face-to-face meetings, STSMs and training schools be cancelled until at least the 30th of April. The use of videoconferencing and other means of communication are recommended. The COST notice may be viewed here.
Previous Information
The COST Association has released an advisory note about international travel in the context of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. COST has examined the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national governmental bodies, and has determined that, for the present, international travel does not need to be limited or cancelled in the European region. Should any change to this directive be received, and travel need to be cancelled, force majeure will apply, meaning you will be repaid for any non-refundable costs you have incurred. For more information on the force majeure regulations, please see Section 5.1.5 of the vademecum.
COST updated their advice on 27th February 2020 to note that people who cancel international travel for COST events through fear of catching the disease, but where governments have not instituted travel limitations or cancelled events, will NOT be able to claim force majeure, and therefore will not be eligible for repayment through COST.
If the advice for your country changes, COST has encouraged us to keep them informed. If your country changes their current advice to a higher level of alert, please contact us so that we may advise you on how to proceed.
More information about the current coronavirus outbreak can be found on the WHO website.