Attendee Safety Plan

Keeping Attendees Safe

ACS is committed to keeping members and event attendees safe from COVID-19. 

Health & Safety FAQ          Recommendations for Holding Gatherings

Effective: November 2, 2022 – Subject to Change

To promote the safety of everyone at the event, ACS will follow the guidance and requirements of the CDC, State of Indiana, Indiana Department of Health (IDH), Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and other local regulations regarding COVID safety practices. This Attendee Safety Plan may change from time-to-time until the start of and during ACS Spring 2023.

IMPORTANT: In light of events surrounding COVID-19, this is an appropriate time to remind ourselves of the risks incident to participating in ACS Spring 2023. 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:

• There is no vaccination requirement to attend ACS Spring 2023 in-person. 
• Safety is a core value of the American Chemical Society and will continue to be our ultimate guide for actions affecting ACS members, staff, meeting attendees, and other stakeholders. Given the decrease in the severity of the pandemic and because the CDC has loosened its restrictions relative to COVID-19, starting January 1, 2023, ACS will no longer require attendees to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for events. 
• We do, however, strongly encourage attendees to take their health and well-being (and that of their fellow attendees) seriously when attending ACS events. We encourage you to follow all the appropriate health-related guidance for you as an individual. 

Mask Requirements:

• ACS is recommending that all ACS Spring 2023 attendees, exhibitors, vendors, and ACS staff wear a face mask while in the Indiana Convention Center, or any facility hosting an ACS-sponsored event or meeting, or while attending an ACS hosted/sponsored event or meeting.
• A recommended mask should be 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.

Do Not Attend if…

All attendees, exhibitors and staff should NOT ATTEND if:

• Exhibiting any symptoms or signs of sickness or have been in contact with known positive COVID-19 cases within 10 days of ACS Spring 2023.
• Testing positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days from the start of ACS Spring 2023.
• Have had contact with a person that has or is suspected of having COVID-19 within fourteen (14) days from the start of ACS Spring 2023 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

Entry to the Indiana Convention Center and other facilities hosting ACS-sponsored events or meetings: 

• It is recommended you wear a mask upon entry to Indiana Convention Center and other ACS facilities.
• At all entry points, anyone who presents signs of illness or is determined to be a person of concern by on-site security due to COVID-19 like symptoms, including but not limited to fever, coughing or shortness/difficulty in breathing, loss of taste/smell, fatigue, or headaches, will be denied entry or asked to leave the venue and advised to seek medical attention immediately.
• ACS reserves the right to deny such entry to anyone seeking admittance or remove them from the venue should they present any COVID-19 like symptoms.

Wellness Area:

• A wellness area for individuals experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms will be available for those unable to seek immediate medical attention or leave the Indiana Convention Center. 
• The ACS will assist those presenting COVID-19 like symptoms to safely exit.

Additional Safety Measures:

• Plexiglas barriers will be used between registration staff and attendees as part of registration.
• Signage will appear at any entrance alerting attendees that entry will be denied if they:
  • Are exhibiting 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 ACS Spring 2023 and have not completed a quarantine protocol.
• Attendees must adhere to the requirements of any such signage while attending ACS Spring 2023. Failure to do so could result in the denial of entry or removal from the venue altogether.
• Handshaking, hugging or other unnecessary person-to-person contact will be discouraged between all participants.
• ACS will remind participants through appropriate signage.

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

Venue Website: Indiana Convention Center

CDC Website

• About COVID-19
• Travel