WCEM 2020 postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

By V.Sankara

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 -- The World Conference on Exercise Medicine (WCEM) 2020,  scheduled to be held from June 22-24 in Malaysia, is postponed to another date that will be determined later due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, said its organising chairman Datuk Seri Jessy Lai.

She said this is in line with the statement made by the Health Ministry discouraging mass gatherings in the next six months as the country and the global community continues to fight the pandemic.

“Due to the growing cases of COVID-19, the Malaysian government has already issued a ban on all large-scale meetings and gatherings until further notice. As a result, WCEM 2020 will be postponed until further announcements and developments.

“We know that this is a challenging time for everyone, we appreciate your understanding and support,” she told Bernama.

Lai, who is also a Global Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) activist, advised Malaysians to do away with sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity, and to take advantage of the current Movement Control Order (MCO) to engage in home-based exercises.

“Please stay home, stay safe and stay healthy by engaging in home-based exercises,” she said.

WCEM 2020, which is co-hosted with the Ministry of Health, was supposed to gather 38 speakers and delegates from various countries across the globe to deliberate on research findings on the conclusive evidence that confirms that exercise in the prescribed form has a positive impact in reducing the effects of NCDs.

The first WCEM was held in Langkawi, Kedah, in 2017 where experts from 25 nations shared their research findings.

For updates on new WCEM dates, visit www.wcem.com.my or email info@wcem.com.my.

-- BERNAMA