Dear colleagues, The RIPE 80 Meeting that was scheduled to be held in Berlin from 11-15 May will be a virtual meeting with a reduced programme due to the situation with COVID-19. RIPE is first and foremost a community, and I take this decision to ensure the health and well-being of the people in that community. I take this decision together with the RIPE NCC Executive Board. I have also listened to the feedback from the working group chairs, the RIPE Programme Committee, the Secretariat and the community itself. I will work with those groups to design a programme for a virtual RIPE Meeting that will bring value to our community and allow us to engage with each other, even if it is not the same type of engagement that we normally enjoy at a RIPE Meeting. I will also stay in close touch with the RIPE NCC Executive Board, who have contacted members to notify them that the General Meeting will be facilitated remotely. The RIPE NCC is currently investigating the best way to implement a successful virtual RIPE Meeting, and we will keep you informed of any updates by email and on the RIPE 80 website. We will do everything we can to minimise disruptions to those who have already planned to attend RIPE 80 physically, and anyone who has already paid for a ticket will be refunded. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact me directly or on the RIPE List. And the RIPE NCC is available to assist you with logistical help at <meeting@ripe.net> should you have questions or need support. I want to wish you all good health at this time. Regards, Hans Petter Holen RIPE Chair