COVID Policy

Event Safety During Ongoing Public Health Emergencies

With ongoing public health emergencies, AFB is prepared to manage our in-person events with the health, safety, and well-being of our attendees, staff, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers in mind. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, AFB staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by our code of conduct, and all policies in effect for any event sponsored by AFB.

We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for all our conferences regularly and coordinate with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotels/venues hosting our events. In all cases, we will continue to assess the risks in the area local to the event and the current status in the United States. In keeping with AFB’s duty of care and the responsibility as host, AFB has implemented safety requirements for many of our in-person convenings.

We reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of any current and ongoing public health emergencies. 

COVID-19 Vaccination

In keeping with AFB’s duty to care and responsibility as host, AFB leadership strongly encourages all participants at AFB events whether presenter, attendee, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor to be fully vaccinated. Updated regularly, the CDC Vaccines website provides current definitions of Fully Vaccinated and Up To Date We strongly encourage all attendees who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 Booster, in addition to being fully vaccinated. AFB is following the CDC definition of fully vaccinated for vaccination requirements, but we encourage individuals who are eligible to receive the booster prior to attending any AFB event.

AFB strongly encourages individuals to be tested for COVID prior to traveling to any AFB event. Individuals who test positive should stay home and cancel their registration. If you are on-site and test positive for COVID-19, please contact AFB staff by emailing Sylvia Stinson-Perez at sstinsonperez@afb.org.  

Mask Requirement

AFB will follow the requirements of the city and state in which a meeting/event is taking place in regard to masks. We ask that participants honor the requests of others to mask up and/or maintain physical distancing. See the CDC webpage for the most updated information about face coverings and masks, including COVID-19 Community Levels to make decisions about what prevention/mitigation measures to implement based on the latest data.

If selecting to wear a mask, AFB recommends wearing procedural (a.k.a. surgical) masks with at least 3 layers of fabric, KN95, KF94s, or N95 masks during events. Masks are encouraged to be worn at all times, except while actively eating/drinking, and in any venue that is considered an AFB event space (both on-site and off-site venues). Worn properly, masks should cover both the mouth and nose.

Physical Distancing

There is currently no requirement from the CDC to provide or maintain physical distancing. AFB will continue to monitor the COVID-19 Community Levels to make decisions about what prevention/mitigation measures to implement based on the latest data, which may include providing physical-distant seating if deemed necessary. 

Continued Planning

AFB is continuing to develop onsite protocols for seating, signage, meals, and other events during AFB events. If needed, this information will be updated throughout the preparation for attendees' arrival.