The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) has decided to postpone its 2020 AIP Australasian Packaging Conference following coronavirus concerns and containment measures being put in place.

With governments all over the world encouraging organisations to adopt social distancing, the AIP has postponed the event until later in the year, with a date yet to be determined.

The conference was meant to happen in Melbourne this year from 1 to 2 April.

“Under the current circumstances, [and] to ensure the safety of our members, the 2020 AIP Australasian Packaging Conference and all surrounding events will be postponed until later in the year,” the statement from the institute read.

“This decision follows the Federal Government announcement on the weekend requesting social distancing, non-essential travel, advising against non-essential gatherings and 14 day self-isolation of all visitors to this country from all over the world.”

More information is expected to be provided at a later date, following an AIP annual general meeting, and the announcement of the winners of the 2020 Packaging Innovation & Design Awards.