Health & Safety Policy

IPRA will follow the guidelines developed by the National Recreation and Park Association that follows federal, state and local guidelines set for in-person gatherings as well as recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Attendees can anticipate with the following requirements:

• Show a negative COVID-19 test conducted by a health facility within 72 hours of arrival/check in OR proof of vaccination for everyone attending in person
  
• Face covering requirements in all IPRA Annual Conference gathering spaces and events, including on transportation. Face coverings must be worn correctly and follow posted signage. (The Horizon Convention Center has this restriction in place and their staff along with IPRA Conference organizers will enforce it)
• Physical distancing
  • Seats in education session rooms will be 3 feet apart (following CDC’s guidelines for classroom seating).
  • 6-foot physical distancing in all other gathering spaces and events will be encouraged.
  • Events will have maximum capacities posted on doors to allow for social distancing.
• Possible health and wellness checkpoints.
  

The Horizon Convention Center will be doing the following:

• Routine cleaning and disinfecting of shared surfaces.

The Horizon Convention Center has the following safety procedures/equipment in place:

• Surface ionization to assist in keeping public areas disinfected.
• Bipolar ionization in the HVAC system
• Mask Mandate
• Social distancing requirements based on CDC, State and local health policy

Vaccination Policy

IPRA will require a negative COVID-19 test, conducted by a health facility within 72 hours of attendee arrival/check-in at the conference OR proof of vaccination, for all attendees, staff, exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and speakers, regardless of your registration date.

To expedite this process, IPRA is attempting to contract with a third party provider that would allow attendees to upload their vaccination cards or negative PCR Test results to a link that would be emailed to all attendees and participants prior to arriving at the convention center. A third-party health screening vendor will then verify the submitted information prior to the event. If an attendee does not wish to upload their information or forgets in advance, they can show proof onsite as well.

Based on guidance from the CDC, State and local health officials, Health Care Check Stations may be placed in the convention center.

Acceptable proof of vaccination is an official CDC Vaccination card with all information (name/date/dose details) OR a negative PCR Test that shows valid details (name/date/location of vaccination and medical results).

According to the CDC website: “Given what we know about the Delta variant, vaccine effectiveness, and current vaccine coverage, layered prevention strategies, such as wearing masks, are needed to reduce the transmission of this variant.”

Therefore, IPRA is implementing the following health and safety protocols*:

• Attendees who cannot show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be unable to attend the conference and asked to leave the building.
• Face coverings are REQUIRED in all IPRA Annual Conference gathering spaces and events. Attendees who do not comply with mask protocols will be unable to attend the conference.
• Daily health and wellness checks may be conducted at checkpoints inside the Center entrances.
• Physical distancing measures will be in place at all gathering spaces and events, including:
• Seats in education session rooms will be 3-feet apart (following CDC’s guidelines for classroom seating),
• The venue will routinely clean and disinfect shared surfaces.
• *Updated as of September 27, 2021. IPRA may update these requirements at any time in its sole discretion.

IPRA will make every effort to ensure these health and safety measures are followed at the conference to keep everyone safe and healthy. However, IPRA cannot guarantee that its attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, or others in attendance will not become infected with COVID-19. We ask all attendees to do their part by taking personal responsibility and remaining vigilant about their own health, including:

• Getting vaccinated against COVID-19
• Find local no-cost vaccination sites here: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/
• Getting tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 prior to attending the Conference*
• Find local no-cost testing sites here: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-te...
  
• Wearing face coverings in other indoor places throughout the city (e.g., restaurants, bars and other indoor attractions)
• Physical distancing in indoor spaces
• Using hand-sanitizing stations as they are available
  
• Washing your hands frequently
  

If you are not feeling well or are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, you should not attend the conference in person. If you become ill during the conference, please notify an IPRA staff person.