NELA

Keeping Our Community Safe: COVID-19 Policy and Precautions

NELA is committed to holding an in-person Annual Convention – so long as it is possible within public health guidelines provided by federal and state health officials, the city of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Marriott Marquis (the event venue). The health and safety of our participants, guests, NELA & Institute team, and the hotel team will continue to be our foremost priority. 

If more stringent guidance or mandates are released by public health officials, this policy will be updated to reflect the changing circumstances. Please consider booking refundable travel in the unlikely event that guidelines change in a manner which prevents us from meeting in person.  

NELA Event COVID-19 Policy as of April 29, 2022 

Vaccination 

To allow for participation by the greatest number of members in our community, up-to-date vaccination as defined by the CDC will be required. Attendees and guests at the Convention will be required to provide proof of up-to-date vaccination on site. We are accepting proof of three doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson and an additional booster dose.  

If you or a guest are unable to be vaccinated due to age, medical, or religious reasons, please contact Jeffrey Mittman for accommodation. Unvaccinated individuals must test negative for COVID-19 24 hours in advance of the event and remain masked at all times while participating in Convention sessions. Unvaccinated individuals will not be admitted to the designated food events where masks will be removed. NELA will have KN95 masks available at the registration desk. 

Masks 

Regardless of vaccination status, masks must be worn indoors at all instructional sessions (plenary and concurrent panels). Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks in other common spaces.  

Please keep in mind that in order to protect themselves or members of their bubble, other attendees may remain masked at all times (including at events where unmasking is allowed) and that decision should be respected. Designated food events will be marked on the Convention program so participants are aware of when mask removal is allowed. 

Participants will be denied entry if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. NELA will have masks, hand sanitizer, and a limited supply of COVID-19 rapid tests available at the registration desk.  

For questions at any time, please contact Jeffrey Mittman, NELA Executive Director, at (415) 625-5401 or jmittman@nelahq.org.