Maize Genetics Meeting Health and Safety Policy
The Maize Genetics Cooperation (MGC) is committed to the health and safety of all Cooperation members and attendees of the Annual Maize Genetics Meeting (MGM). In keeping with the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, we have developed the following health & safety policy for the 2023 Maize Genetics Meeting. The Maize Genetics Cooperation Board of Directors (BoD) approved the following health & safety policy on October 14th, 2021. This policy was updated with additional recommendations on Feb 15, 2023.
- All attendees of the MGM in-person meeting are encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date on their flu shots before attending the conference. Please click here for the most up-to-date information on vaccine status and here for information regarding the flu.
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You may NOT attend the conference if you:
- Currently required to be in isolation for COVID-19. See here for the CDC isolation calculator.
- If you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 or the flu.
- If you have had a fever within the past 24 hours.
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Upon picking up your badge at the in-person conference, you will be asked to certify that you have met the above requirements. If you are found to have knowingly falsified this information, you will forfeit your membership to the Maize Genetics Cooperation and be expelled from the meeting with no refunds.
- Masks are encouraged during the meeting when in common spaces but not required. Attendees wearing masks are encouraged to wear the most protective mask possible such as N95, KN95, or at a minimum surgical masks, while at the MGM to limit the spread of disease.
- Recommendation: Before boarding your flight or getting in your car to come to the MGM, take a COVID-19 test to ensure that you are not infected. If possible, this should be a PCR-based test, but rapid tests are also acceptable. Bring one or more COVID-19 rapid tests with you to the MGM and test yourself upon arrival and throughout the meeting.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms at the Maize Meeting, please stay in your hotel room, and follow CDC guidance. We are working with the Union Station Hotel to ensure the safety of all in-person attendees. Things you can expect to see are the option for increased spacing between chairs in meal and meeting areas, allowing individuals to choose their preference.
The MGC has approved these enhanced health and safety measures to protect you, other attendees, and hotel and conference staff. All attendees must abide by these guidelines and follow any posted instructions while on site. The MGC assumes no responsibility for liability or financial hardship that may arise during or as a result of your attendance at the meeting. This includes, but is not limited to, liability arising out of illness, injury, or death associated with infection of COVID-19, Flu, communicable disease or complications, symptoms or other effects resulting from contracting COVID-19, the flu or other communicable diseases.
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