Attendee Safety
26th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering (GC&E) Conference
Health & Safety Guidelines
Effective: December 20, 2021 – Subject to Change
To promote the safety of our attendees, speakers, exhibitors and staff, the ACS Green Chemistry Institute has incorporated the following health and safety protocols. Informed by the guidance and requirements of the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), and other local regulations regarding COVID safety practices, this Attendee Safety Plan is subject to change as needed.
IMPORTANT: In light of events surrounding COVID-19, this is an appropriate time to remind ourselves of the risks incident to participating in the GC&E Conference. Even with every reasonable precaution to keep you safe as outlined for you by the CDC, ACS cannot fully eliminate all risks of harm to attendees or guarantee their safety, especially from risks posed by COVID-19 or its variant strains. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety.
Failure to adhere to the following requirements could lead to removal from the venue or other disciplinary action.
Vaccination Requirements:
- Vaccination is required for all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, guests and ACS staff who attend the in-person meeting in Reston, VA.
- All individuals will need to be fully vaccinated by May 23, 2022, 14 days from the start of the meeting.
- According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g., Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna), or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson’s/Janssen).
- All attendees are required to upload proof of vaccination before attending this meeting. ACS Green Chemistry Institute has partnered with 42 Chat/HealthShield to administer the collection of vaccine documentation. Once registered, attendees will be notified via text with instructions on how to upload their vaccination cards for validation. Once the card is uploaded, reviewed, and validated, 42Chat/HealthShield will send a text message back (email for international) indicating if the card has been validated and/or an explanation as to why the card has not been validated and/or requires additional action.
- This guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use and for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines), and COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Covishield, Covaxin, Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV, and Sinovac/CoronaVac). The full list of vaccines with final WHO evaluation status is available at the World Health Organization. ACS may expand the list of vaccines, provide more specific guidance regarding mixed vaccination dosing, and/or provide additional guidance regarding boosters as prevailing public health guidance evolves. Watch this space for additional details as we get closer to GC&E 2022.
Additional restrictions on participants may come in accordance with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and applicable federal, state, or local governmental orders, regulations, and/or guidelines intended to reduce the spread and risks of exposure to COVID-19.
Mask Requirements:
- All attendees and staff are required to wear a mask or an approved quality face covering while participating in all 26th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference sessions or any hosted/sponsored events. Attendees and staff may remove their masks temporarily when eating or drinking and speakers may remove their masks when presenting.
- An acceptable “mask” is made of at least 2 layers of breathable fabric or hospital grade material, fully covers the nose, nostrils, mouth and fits firmly under the chin, and fits snugly, but comfortably, against the side of the face. Gaiters and bandannas are not approved face coverings. Masks will be available to attendees if needed.
Do Not Attend if…
All attendees, exhibitors and staff should NOT ATTEND if:
- Unvaccinated; all unvaccinated individuals will be denied entry.
- Exhibiting any symptoms or signs of sickness or have been in contact with known positive COVID-19 cases within 10 days of the GC&E Conference.
- Testing positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days from the start of the GC&E Conference.
- Have had contact with a person that has or is suspected of having COVID-19 within fourteen (14) days from the start of the GC&E Conference and have not completed a quarantine protocol.
Traveling to Attend
- Fully vaccinated travelers should still follow CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely including wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
- If fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization one can travel safely within the United States.
- Fully vaccinated domestic travelers do not need to get tested before or after travel unless their destination requires it. U.S bound international travelers will need to be tested no more than 3 days before arrival in the U.S. and show your negative test result to the airline before you board the flight. Check with the CDC for guidelines on using some self-COVID-19 tests to meet entry.
On-Site Health & Safety Measures
- Anyone who has not uploaded their vaccination card will be denied entry to the GC&E Conference and will not be able to pick-up their badge until proof of vaccination has been verified.
- Signage will appear at any entrance alerting attendees that entry will be denied if they:
- Have not provided proof of being fully vaccinated
- Have been diagnosed with COVID-19,
- Are exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, or
- Have had contact with a person that has or is suspected of having COVID-19 within fourteen (14) days of the start of the GC&E Conference and have not completed a quarantine protocol.
- Attendees must adhere to the requirements of any such signage while attending the GC&E Conference. Failure to do so could result in the denial of entry or removal from the venue altogether.
- Plexiglas barriers will be used between registration staff and attendees as part of entry screening and registration.
Additional Safety Measures:
- Physical distancing in meeting rooms whenever space allows.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the meeting space. It is the responsibility of each person to maintain personal hygiene, including washing your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
- Disinfectant wipes will also be available in every breakout room for disinfecting high-touch items used by presenters.
- Please observe physical distancing guidelines when greeting others. ACS Green Chemistry Institute discourages handshaking, hugging, or any other unnecessary person-to-person contact.
- COVID-safe catering.
Contact Tracing & Privacy
- All attendees will be required to provide a working phone number to ACS at the time of registration in case ACS is notified by any government or local health department that contact tracing is required.
- The privacy of all attendees relative COVID-19 related situations will be respected at all times, including the secure and limited access to their data and the proper and timely disposal post meeting.
External Resources
CDC Website:
FAQ
Yes, full vaccination will be required for all attendees, exhibitors, vendors, and staff who seek to gain access to the in-person conference in Reston, VA.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g., Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna), or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson’s/Janssen).
Vaccination guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use and for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines), and COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) (i.e. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Covishield, Covaxin, Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV, and Sinovac/CoronaVac), on or before February 15, 2022.
The full list of vaccines with final WHO EUL/PQ evaluation status is available the World Health Organization. ACS may expand the list of vaccines, provide more specific guidance regarding mixed vaccination dosing, and/or provide additional guidance regarding boosters as prevailing public health guidance evolves.
Once you have registered, you will receive either a text or email from HealthShield (42Chat) with instructions on how to upload your vaccination card. Once your vaccination card has been reviewed and approved, you will receive either a text or email with a check mark to verify approval. You will display this check mark at onsite registration to receive your badge.
The email confirmation will come from support@42chat.com.
ACS will be alerted of the denial and will contact the individual directly for next steps.
What could cause the denial of my vaccination card?
Denial could happen for various reasons, if including the information on the card isn’t legible, if you are not considered fully vaccinated based on your vaccination date (must be fully vaccinated by May 23), if your vaccination card doesn’t appear to be authentic, or if your vaccination is not one that is accepted by the CDC or the WHO.
Individuals will be required to upload their vaccination card prior to arriving in Reston. Once onsite, individuals will have to show proof of vaccination by displaying the green check mark they received either via text or email from HealthShield (42Chat) verifying vaccination upload.
Individuals may pick up their badge beginning Sunday, June 5 at 3:00 PM in the GC&E Registration Area in the Reston Hyatt.
Yes, ACS is requiring that all GC&E 2022 attendees, vendors, exhibitors, and ACS Staff wear a face mask while in the Hyatt Regency Reston, or any facility hosting an ACS-sponsored event or meeting, or while attending an ACS hosted/sponsored events or meetings. An acceptable “mask” is one that is made of at least 2 layers of breathable fabric or hospital grade material; fully covers the nose, nostrils, and mouth; and fits firmly under the chin, and snugly, but comfortably against the side of the face.
In light of events surrounding the COVID-19, ACS reminds you of the risks incident to participating in GC&E 2022. Even with every reasonable precaution to keep you safe as outlined for you by the CDC, ACS cannot fully eliminate all risks of harm to attendees or guarantee their safety, especially from risks posed by COVID-19 or its variant strains. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety.
To promote the safety of everyone at the event, ACS will follow the guidance and requirements of the CDC, State of Virginia, Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Hyatt Regency and other local regulations regarding COVID safety practices. An Attendee Safety Plan has been developed and will be followed. The Attendee Safety Plan may change from time-to-time until the start of and during GC&E 2022. Everyone in attendance, including attendees, vendors, exhibitors, and staff are expected to comply with ACS’s directions relative to health and safety while attending. Failure to adhere to the requirements could lead to removal from the venue or other disciplinary action.
Your temperature will not be taken at entry.
You will not be required to answer daily health questions to gain entrance to venues, however, you will be required to wear your badge at all times while attending meetings at events at GC&E 2022. Your badge is a visual indicator that you are fully vaccinated.
If you have these or other COVID-19 related symptoms, you will be denied entry, safely escorted to a wellness area, and advised to seek medical attention immediately. ACS reserves the right to deny entry to or remove anyone within the Center presenting with COVID-19 related symptoms.
Partitions or Plexiglas barriers will be present at registration, information and ACS points of sale. A wellness area for individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be available to those unable to leave immediately. Hand sanitizers and disposable face masks will also be available for all attendees during the conference for usage.
All attendees are expected to fully comply with all health and safety guidelines. Attendees must acknowledge guidelines and agree at the time of registration to comply with them. Refusal to agree with ACS’s health and safety guidelines may result in a denial of registration. Attendees will also be required to upload their vaccination card in order to receive their badge. All attendees must wear their badge to show as a visual indicator that they are fully vaccinated.
ACS will have a Compliance Officer walking the meeting venues to ensure attendees are wearing a badge and that all guidelines are being followed. Any violations of the guidelines will be addressed by Compliance Officer, security, and/or ACS staff as soon as practicable following observation/notification of non-compliance. A Health & Safety Contact phone number will be clearly noted on signage throughout the meeting to allow for reporting of any concerns.
ACS works with each venue to review sanitization standards. Attendees are responsible for maintaining personal hygiene, including washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
ACS discourages handshaking, hugging, or other unnecessary person-to-person contact.
At ACS’s sole discretion, we have the right to consider the circumstances in determining whether or not to issue a full refund.
If you are a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or immigrant, visit International Travel: Information for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants for requirements before arriving in the United States.
For non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. immigrants:
- According to the CDC you must be fully vaccinated to travel to the United States by plane if you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa). Only limited exceptions apply.
- You are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 when you travel to the United States by air. The timing of this test depends on your vaccination status and age.
- Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
I have specific questions that are not addressed here. Who can help me?
Attendee Health & Safety
Safety is a core priority at the American Chemical Society. In order to promote the welfare of all conference attendees, all participants must:
- Be fully vaccinated
- Wear masks, except when presenting, eating or drinking
- Follow all Conference safety policies
Please read the GC&E Health and Safety Guidelines.
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Key Dates
- February 14, 2022: Call for Abstracts closes
- March 15, 2022: Early Registration & Housing Open
- April 30, 2022: Early Registration Closes
- May 1, 2022: General Registration Opens
- May 14, 2022: Housing Deadline
- June 6-8, 2022: Conference
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Email: gceconferences@acs.org