SETAC North America Health and Safety Policy

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, SETAC may change and update these policies.

View local COVID-19 policies for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

SETAC is excited to be planning in-person events after two years of meeting virtually. The health and safety of meeting participants is our utmost priority, and we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. In return, we are expecting a commitment from our participants to adhere to and respect the safety and health policies and guidelines.

SETAC is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and will follow all national and local guidelines and reserves the right to impose more stringent requirements (e.g., mandatory mask-wearing for all attendees) at its events.

SETAC North America’s Guide to Creating a Safe and Welcoming Environment

The following policies and guidelines apply to all meeting attendees including presenters, guests, invited speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, service providers, and staff.

  • We are requiring that all meeting attendees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 according to CDC guidelines or have an approved medical or religious exemption, 14 days PRIOR to attending the meeting.
  • We reserve the right to require negative tests before arrival for all attendees.
  • We reserve the right to require masks over nose and mouth for all attendees.
  • We reserve the right to require daily symptom checks of all attendees.
  • We will ensure that all meeting rooms are set to provide extra space for social distancing, as needed.
  • We will make hand sanitizer available throughout the meeting space.
  • We will provide information about local testing sites in case you are feeling sick during the meeting.
  • We ask meeting participants not to attend if they feel ill, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to a COVID-19 case within 14 days of the meeting.
  • We may not allow food or drink in session rooms (including poster hall).

SETAC developed this policy using best practices identified by leading event planning organizations as the best path forward to achieve our common goal of advancing environmental toxicology and science.

While SETAC will take precautions to create a safe and welcoming environment, we cannot fully eliminate all risks of harm to participants or guarantee their safety, especially from risks posed by COVID-19 or its variant strains. Ultimately, each participant is responsible for their own safety.

Meeting Attendee Personal Acknowledgement and Accountability Commitment Regarding COVID-19

All meeting attendees including presenters, guests, invited speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, service providers, and staff must acknowledge the commitment to care statement at registration.

Commitment to Care Statement:

  1. I attest that I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption.
  2. I understand that participation in the event includes possible exposure to illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19, and I knowingly and freely assume all such risks.
  3. I acknowledge and agree that, in the event of a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 being reported to SETAC as a result of any event, SETAC may be required to share personal participant information internally or with public health authorities, including for the purposes of potential contact tracing.
  4. I understand that all attendees are expected to comply with all SETAC health and safety guidelines and that failure to adhere to the requirements could lead to removal from the venue or other disciplinary action.
  5. I agree to abide by and engage in health-and-safety precautions and rules established by SETAC while attending events hosted by the society. This includes, but is not limited to, producing proof of vaccination 14 days prior to the start of the meeting, wearing a mask at all times within the meeting area as required, providing negative tests if requested, submitting to daily symptom checks if required, engaging in appropriate physical distancing and respecting others request for space.
  6. I also agree to not attend any event if I feel ill, have tested positive, or have been exposed to a COVID-19 case within 14 days of the meeting.