PICK-PLACE project, like almost everything else on a global scale, is being affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Needless to say, health and safety are our top priority right now.
Most members of the consortium have temporarily closed their facilities and partners are working from home, following social distancing and containment guidelines. These measures also imply other limitations which are relevant for an EU research initiative, including restrictions for traveling and meetings. Due to these measures, PICK-PLACE’s first integration workshop —scheduled to take place the last week of March 2020— had to be postponed.
In spite of these obstacles, the PICK-PLACE consortium is working towards ensuring that project goals are achieved. Virtual tools are being used, whenever possible, in order to reinforce progress and cooperation. Advances in software components have been given preference over hardware, since the latter are more difficult to deploy in the current situation. Key project activities, such as the aforementioned integration workshop, are being rescheduled. A project amendment, extending the deadline for a few months, has already been requested. Regarding communication and dissemination, we will keep sharing relevant updates through our project’s channels.
Hopefully, thanks to everyone’s commitment, the situation will soon return to normal. Meanwhile, please stay safe and healthy.