ACA is committed to providing opportunities to engage in the safest and most enjoyable in-person experience possible. To achieve this, we are focused on a multilayered approach to mitigating COVID-19 at all ACA in-person events, including the requirement that attendees are either fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the arrival to an indoor ACA event. The implementation of these requirements may vary based on state and local guidance.

The following precautions have been established out of an abundance of caution for the health, safety, and comfort of all conference attendees.

Requirements to Attend:

·       Proof of full vaccination* against COVID-19 (boosters recommended) OR a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of the participant’s arrival to or the first day of the event must be produced to gain access to the conference. *As defined as fully vaccinated by the CDC

·       Boosters are strongly recommended for those eligible to be considered “optimally protected” but are not required at this time.

·       Individuals will not be admitted to the conference without either proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test (polymerase chain reaction or nucleic acid test) within 72 hours of their first day of the ACA event. Rapid antigen and at-home tests will not be accepted.

·       If you have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the past 90 days, we are not accepting this as an exemption unless your requested PCR test comes back positive. Anyone who is unvaccinated will be required to take a PCR test up to 72 hours before the conference regardless of past results.

·       Stay home if you are sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19, and get tested for COVID-19.

·       Those who have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within 21 days should not attend the conference until they have met the CDC requirements for being in public spaces.

·       Each event attendee is required to read and sign the ACA, NY & NJ Event Attendee COVID-19 Release of Liability Agreement waiver. Please read and sign the digital waiver or request a paper form to complete and bring with you to the event. You may also scan and email your completed paper waiver to intern@acanynj.org. We will also have copies of the waiver available at registration.

·       Wearing a face mask at all times when indoors and when physical distancing is difficult outdoors, regardless of your vaccination status is a requirement of all attendees. For Tri-State attendees, as of 10/18/21, as per Executive Order 292, the Atlantic City Convention Center requires all attendees to be masked at all times unless consuming food and beverage.

·       While indoors and in close proximity to others, physical distancing will be maintained.

·       When possible, eat outdoors. If eating indoors is required, maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from other participants.

·       Cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands frequently.

What is Proof of Vaccination?

• A CDC-issued vaccination card that includes the name of the person vaccinated, the type of vaccination provided, and the date that the last dose was administered. Fully vaccinated is defined* as 2 doses for Moderna and Pfizer, 1 dose for Johnson & Johnson (*definition is subject to change based on CDC guidelines)

• A digital photo of a CDC-issued vaccination card stored on a phone or electronic device or digital proof of vaccination from a pharmacy or other health care provider.

• A printed photo of a CDC-issued vaccination card.

• A copy of your vaccination card via an app such as Clear, Vaccine Check, Docket (NJ residents), or Excelsior Pass (NY residents).

What is a Negative COVID-19 PCR Test?

• A digital photo of negative COVID-19 PCR test results that includes the name of the attendee, the type of test, and the test date.

• A printed photo of negative COVID-19 PCR test results that includes the name of the attendee, the type of test, and the test date.

• Rapid antigen and at-home tests will not be accepted.

What About COVID Related Costs?

Register with confidence. We want you to feel safe attending an ACA event and attend only if you are feeling well. If you need to cancel your registration due to COVID, we will help you transfer your registration fees to a virtual event or offer you a full refund. We are happy to work with you on registration fees paid to ACA but cannot refund any out-of-pocket expenses for transportation, offsite lodging, or anything but registration fees.

What’s New for Hotel & Meeting Spaces?

We are adapting the traditional conference/meeting layouts to include opportunities for physical distancing when possible and will work with hotels and other venues to address site-specific issues such as adequate ventilation. Additionally, we will monitor local and state regulations related to group gatherings and adjust when and where necessary to maintain healthy operations.

What do I do if I have questions about Health and Safety During an in-person ACA event?

We know you might have more questions, and we’re excited to answer those questions and hear your thoughts on health and safety for this event. Please feel free to contact us with all related health and safety questions and concerns.

ACA will continue to follow federal, state, and local health official guidance for all events and will make any adjustments as necessary. These requirements align with best practices that promote the safety of our participants and staff as our guiding principle. 

Speakers:

All speakers will be required to follow our event guidelines as listed. While presenting, speakers will not be required to be masked, but must follow protocols when not speaking.