MEDIA RELEASE 8 April 2020 – Middle East Lighting Association (MELA) urges Governments to provide continued access to lighting products.
As the world confronts the evolving spread of COVID-19, governments are implementing strict measures to help limit the spread of the virus. In doing so they have to balance health and safety goals with the need for continued delivery of essential goods and services.
MELA urges authorities to ensure sustained access to lighting products during these challenging times by categorizing lighting as an essential product and ensuring lighting products can continue to be manufactured, supplied and sold.
Lighting is a vital part of life, and availability of lighting products and services is essential, especially in the current situation. Light is needed to functionally fulfil our daily duties at home, as well as in the places that are tasked with addressing and alleviating the current crisis, such as (emergency) hospitals, care centres, shops and distribution centres.
Furthermore – and most important – in stressful times light can help comfort people, make them feel safe and contribute to their well-being. MELA believes that access to lighting products should not become a topic of concern during the COVID-19 pandemic and we urge authorities to classify lighting products as essential products in the context of any measures that would otherwise limit manufacturing, supply or sale of products.
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About MELA
The global lighting industry is facing unprecedented challenges and exciting opportunities with the transition to new efficient lighting technologies. The industry is continually evolving, reinventing its approach to lighting to meet the needs of the 21st century. MELA’s mission is to support key regional stakeholders to move towards a sustainable lighting future for the benefit of each part of the community, through effective implementation of efficient lighting policy. MELA is the main platform for discussion, development and communication of lighting industry positions in the Middle East region in support of regulatory initiatives. Formally founded in 2014 MELA has five founding members: producers of light sources, luminaires and lighting control gear. Its total membership covers approximately 50% of the GCC product market share.
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