GHSA 2021 Annual Meeting Health and Safety Protocols

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The health and safety protocols in place for the GHSA 2021 Annual Meeting are listed below and were sent to all attendees and exhibitors prior to the conference.

Executive Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for governments and citizens alike, and state and local health and safety measures and recommendations change frequently. GHSA is monitoring conditions in the city and county of Denver in partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado Governor’s Office and will be following all required federal, state, local and venue health and safety measures.

GHSA’s 2021 in-person Annual Meeting during this time is made possible by your partnership to minimize public health risks. As public safety professionals, we know we can count on your willingness to use good judgement, exercise patience, and respect rules, best practices and others’ boundaries.

Before the Meeting

  • In the two weeks prior to the meeting, attendees are strongly encouraged to monitor themselves for any symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 infection.
  • Attendees are asked to stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Attendees should pack one or more masks that completely cover their nose and mouth. Public health authorities recommend using a new, clean mask every day. All masks should either be cloth or disposable with multiple layers of fabric and should not have exhalation valves or vents.

During the Meeting

Health Screening and Testing:

  • GHSA staff and volunteers will need to complete a temperature screening and health questionnaire prior to the start of the meeting and are subject to daily temperature checks. Any staff member or volunteer with a temperature in excess of 100.4° Fahrenheit will be asked to leave the meeting, isolate in their hotel room or home and to undergo a COVID-19 test.
  • GHSA is not currently requiring attendees to provide proof of vaccination status, but it is possible that venues in the Denver area other than those at which GHSA has scheduled events may require such proof for entry. Attendees who are fully vaccinated should consider bringing proof of vaccination in case safety requirements change.
  • Attendees and Exhibitors are asked to monitor their health throughout the conference and to self-quarantine if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If you are concerned about anyone’s health or conduct, you may notify GHSA staff or event volunteers.

Staff, attendees and vendors are encouraged to self-report to event officials and isolate in their hotel room if they:

  • Have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

Protective Equipment:

  • All attendees, including speakers and exhibitors, are required to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth for indoor activities throughout the meeting, including in rooms and hallways. To facilitate clear communication, a mask will be optional for speakers when they are presenting at general sessions and workshops. Masks may be removed when eating and drinking. Attendees should bring and wear their own facial coverings, and disposable masks will be available onsite for individuals who need one.
  • Individual bottles of hand sanitizer will be provided to all attendees, touchless hand sanitizer stations are available in public areas of the hotel and additional individual bottles are available at the registration desk.
  • GHSA staff and event volunteers will have access to disposable nitrile gloves in the event they are needed.

Cleaning and disinfection:

  • The Sheraton Denver Downtown has established enhanced cleaning protocols throughout the hotel.
  • In addition to the enhanced cleaning, Annual Meeting volunteers will disinfect microphones, podiums and head tables when setting up workshop rooms.

Cross-contact with other events:

  • Other events are scheduled for the hotel at the same time as the GHSA 2021 Annual Meeting. All GHSA-related events will take place in the Plaza Building of the hotel, primarily on the Concourse Level, with other events taking place in the other tower of the hotel. Elevators to guest rooms in the Plaza Building provide direct access to the meeting space GHSA will be using.

Physical distancing and close contact:

  • Meeting rooms, luncheons and other conference activities will be set up to allow for increased distance between attendees.
  • Attendees are asked not to congregate in crowded areas and to follow physical distancing markers set up for lines.
  • Please be respectful of different attendees’ comfort levels with physical contact and proximity to others during the meeting. Consider replacing handshakes with other greetings that do not require close contact.

Food and beverage service:

  • All food and beverage service will be set up to minimize crowding and to limit or avoid the use of shared serving utensils where possible.

Transportation:

  • Federal law requires individuals to wear masks on all public transportation, including planes, trains, buses and light rail.
  • Masks are highly encouraged and are required on bus transportation provided by GHSA to the Tuesday night Taste of the State event at Punch Bowl Social.

Communicating health and safety policy changes:

  • Any changes to these health and safety guidelines and policies will be posted on the GHSA website, sent out via an alert on the conference app, emailed to all registered attendees and posted at the registration area.

After the Meeting

  • Once you return home, please continue to monitor your health for any symptoms of illness. Attendees are asked to notify GHSA if you test positive for COVID-19 up to 14 days after returning home.
  • If an attendee tests positive for COVID-19 during the meeting or after returning home, GHSA will notify all meeting attendees of the potential exposure. All attendee health reports will be strictly confidential and the identity of any attendee testing positive will not be shared.

Appendices

Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 (please note that this list does not include all possible symptoms):

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Coronavirus Self-Checker

COVID testing in Downtown Denver

16th Street Mall In front of Target (offers saliva testing)
1600 California St.
Denver, CO 80202
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 12pm – 6:30pm

Union Station (offers saliva testing)
1701 Wynkoop St.
Denver, CO 80202
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7am – 3pm; Saturday, 7am – 12pm

Alliance Nationwide Exposition COVID policies and procedures