The auto expo, which kicks off here on Wednesday, had got around the problem of the participation of Chinese companies at the event in the wake of the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, which originated in the country.

Chinese giants Great Wall Motor, First Automative Works and electric bus and battery maker BYD have hogged up 20 per cent of the exhibition space, but the organisers have said that their stalls can only be manned by their Indian employees.

In a statement, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) president Rajan Wadhera said, “None of these stalls would be manned by anybody who has come to India recently from China.” Siam is the organiser of the event.

“As all arrivals from China have now been stopped, there will be no visitors/delegations from China at the Motor Show 2020, ” Wadhera said.

The biennial automobile show kicks off on Wednesday with media presentations and will be officially inaugurated on Thursday.

The expo will be open to public from February 7-12.

India has announced the temporary suspension of e-visa facility for Chinese travellers and foreigners residing in the neighbouring country.

The government has issued a fresh advisory saying anyone with a travel history to China since January 15 can be quarantined.

”All Chinese companies participating at the Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2020 have confirmed that their exhibit area would be manned by their Indian employees/representatives,” Wadhera said.

He said despite no coronavirus threat directly at Auto Expo, the organisers are taking measures to make people aware of symptoms and prevention actions.

Chinese firms led by the likes of Great Wall Motor, First Automotive Works (FAW) and electric bus and mattery maker BYD have booked around 20 per cent of the total space of around 40,000 square metres at the expo.

Deepak Jain, President, ACMA, said: “All Chinese companies scheduled to participate at Auto Expo 2020 – Components Show – at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from 6 to 9 February, 2020 have informed the organisers that travellers from China scheduled to attend the components show, are unable to travel to India due to the prevailing conditions in China.

”However, around 30 companies from the Chinese Group have confirmed that their stand at Auto Expo 2020 – Components Show at Pragati Maidan, would be managed by their Indian Counterparts in their absence. As travel of Chinese nationals to India has now been stopped, we therefore do not expect visitors and delegates from China at the Auto Expo 2020 – Components Show.”

Despite no Coronavirus threat directly at Auto Expo 2020, the organisers are taking adequate measures to make people aware of symptoms and take prevention and containment actions. Arrangements are being made to make available hand sanitisers, they said.