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Dear Ascend Community,
We hope that you and your loved ones are in good health and staying safe. We have come a long way since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As businesses and public venues start to reopen, we want to take a moment to share our guidance for near term in-person gatherings to ensure that all our members, attendees, volunteers, and staff are equipped with the necessary information to safeguard their wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around them.
As you know, the situation continues to change and we will continually review this guidance and adjust as the circumstances require.
Ascend guidance to all chapters is as follows:
- Subject to more rigorous local requirements. Ascend adheres to the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found here (please read full guidance via the link).
- Vaccination
- Ascend will require all attendees, planning teams, organizers, venue staff (including those who are fully vaccinated) to wear a mask during any event, and maintain 6 feet between attendees.
- All Ascend materials (including those posted on the website) announcing events shall contain the following disclaimer "Ascend cannot guarantee the safety of attendees at its in-person events. Attendees should evaluate the risks of attending any in-person event and decide what is best for themselves and their families."
- All chapters must review the CDC guidance and implement the planning and preparedness guidelines for all in-person events.
- Chapter should continue to leverage the event approval process by submitting events for approval via this link.
- For all in-person events approved by National, chapters must:
- Follow CDC guidance as adopted by Ascend and state/local guidance (as also recommended by the CDC).
- Follow all safety guidelines pre, during and post events.
- Using the above disclaimer, require ALL attendees to sign a digital waiver or release of liability for all in person-gatherings prior to the event date. Copies of the digital wavier or release should be provided to National prior to the event date.
- Disclaimer and safety guidelines must be included in the registration process, in the registration confirmation email, event reminder email, website, social media, and wherever else necessary including on the site at the event venue(s).
- Seek guidance from the event venue on any special precautions the event organizer and/or the attendees must practice and share with ALL stakeholders accordingly.
Your support and cooperation to help us implement these steps for everyone's safety is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Omicron Variant
- On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron.
CDC is continuously monitoring variants and the U.S. variant surveillance system has reliably detected new variants in this country.
CDC Guidance: Event Planning & COVID 19 Questions and Answers
Please check with your local/state guidelines when planning in-person events within your chapter or region. Below is a brief overview of CDC guidance on local gatherings.
How many guests can safely enter the event?
Each event organizer will need to determine the appropriate number for their setting in collaboration with local health officials. They should also check state, county, and city rules regarding any current restrictions limiting the number of attendees at events. In general, the number that is chosen should allow individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart from each other. Indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces because indoors, it can be harder to keep people at least 6 feet apart and the ventilation is not as good as it is outdoors.
How to maintain 6 feet among event attendees:
Use multiple entrances, exits, and discourage crowded waiting areas.
Eliminate lines, queues if possible or encourage people to stay at least 6 feet apart by providing signs, or other visual cues such as tape/chalk marks.
Prioritize outdoor activities where social distancing can be maintained as much as possible.
All event attendees should wear a mask and vaccination is encouraged:
CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. CDC recommends that organizers require staff to wear masks and encourage attendees ahead of events to bring/wear masks at the event. Masks are most essential when physical distancing is difficult (such as when moving within a crowd or audience). Furthermore, in line with CDC guidance, Ascend encourages all attendees to be vaccinated.
After you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, take these steps to protect yourself and others: (CDC FAQ)
If you are in an area with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and when you are in close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
Additional steps on How to Protect Yourself & Others
- Test to prevent spread to others.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- If you are wearing a mask: You can cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect.
- Clean high touch surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- Monitor your health daily.
- Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
Factors to consider in making a determination to postpone or cancel an event:
How close together attendees will be at the event?
Amount of spread in local communities and the communities from where your attendees are likely to travel?
Given the changing circumstances in light of the new variations, attendees should be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccinations.