DUBAI, UAE, 8 April 2020: Eurovent Middle East, along with other international industry organisations, has published a Position Paper to warn of severe consequences to critical infrastructure if the supply and servicing of HVACR equipment is halted in the bid to contain the spread of COVID-19. Eurovent made the announcement through a Press release, in the wake of several governments around the world having imposed shutdowns of non-essential businesses, as part of the COVID-19 mitigation measures. In some countries, the association noted, this includes manufacturers, suppliers and service professionals of HVACR equipment.

Brian Suggitt

According to the release, the Paper calls on governments around the world to include the HVACR industry in the list of essential businesses. The dependency on a global supply chain and requirements to adhere to strict standards and regulations expose markets to significant shortages in the supply of equipment that are much needed to ensure the safe operation of healthcare, cold chain and data centre facilities, if a coordinated approach towards this industry is not followed, Eurovent said.

Brian Suggitt, President, Eurovent Middle East, said: “Governments currently imposing shutdowns on HVACR businesses need to keep in mind that this not only disrupts the supply chain in their own country but cuts off other countries and regions dependent on imports of essential products. This is especially true for developing countries around the world that do not have the capacity to sustain the functioning of vital, life-critical infrastructure without the necessary products.”