Please be sure to check back for any changes or updates as policies are subject to change.
COVID-19 is now part of our everyday lives. By attending Children's Institute 2024 in any capacity you acknowledge the possibility of exposure. That said, ABA will do everything we can to support the safest environment possible for attendees including the following guidelines:
- Frequent hand washing and/or sanitizing is strongly recommended. The hotel will have hand sanitizer available at the event, while supplies last. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer as well.
- We request that if you’re not feeling well at any point during your stay, or if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, to please get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. For convenience and to prevent possible exposure to others, we recommend you bring your own COVID tests to the event. At-home tests are available for sale around the U.S. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-home tests are available.
- If an attendee tests positive during the event, they will need to refrain from attending the remainder of the event.
- If an attendee is notified during the event that a close contact has tested positive, they are encouraged to test and engage in CDC-recommended protocols.
- Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear masks while attending the event, but masks are not required. Attendees are required to wear masks in settings where more than one person is sharing a computer screen, like IndieCommerce one-on-ones. Some authors will request that masks are worn during signings. ABA will have masks available at the event, while supplies last. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own masks as well.
All attendees will be able to choose from different colored lanyards to attach to their badge, which will indicate your comfort level with others approaching you. You can switch out lanyards depending on your comfort level at the time.
- GREEN = handshakes/fist bumps welcome
- YELLOW = elbow bumps and a little space appreciated
- RED = no handshakes and lots of space please
- As we all know, COVID is part of our lives now and the risk of contracting COVID is always a possibility. The recent experience at similar large events indicates that it is likely that someone at every large event has COVID. With this in mind, attendees will not be required to notify ABA if they test positive once the event has begun, nor will ABA be notifying everyone in attendance if anyone tests positive. Attendees should take precautions, as outlined above, and if they have greater concerns we understand that they may choose to not attend.
- We request that if you’re not feeling well at any point during your stay, or if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, to please get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. For convenience and to prevent possible exposure to others, we recommend you bring your own COVID tests to the event. If an attendee tests positive during the event, they should not return back to the event until they've tested negative.
- Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring at-home COVID tests to test themselves as needed during the event.
- The closest COVID testing sites can be found here. Please be sure to confirm that the site is still offering testing before visiting.
- Attendees are requested to test within 24 hours before they depart home for the event so they can stay home if they test positive. ABA will reimburse registration fees in these instances.
So much has changed in the age of COVID and we will continue to evaluate these policies going forward. Please understand we are doing the best we can and there are many factors to consider. We appreciate everyone helping us prioritize both Safety and Kindness.
Failure to abide by our Health & Safety policies will result in removal from this event and you will be banned from attending any future ABA conference.
CREATING A SAFER SPACE
ABA strives to make all of our events a safer place. We offer support and we always enforce our Code of Conduct.
