2023 Annual Meeting COVID-19 Updates

AFS has updated the Covid-19 and public health policies for this year’s Annual Meeting in Portland. Read the revised policy below.

Covid-19 and Public Health Policy

We ask participants to be mindful and respectful of each other, recognizing that individuals have different health vulnerabilities (which may or may not be visible) and levels of risk tolerance.

We encourage attendees to stay up to date on their vaccinations. The CDC has an updated Covid booster now available nationally, making it possible to be fully boosted before our time together in Portland. 

We are asking all registrants to take an at home test within 24 hours of the event, and for any participants who are traveling to take a test before the flight as an extra precaution.

Moreover, we ask you to consider the health of others. Do not attend in-person meeting events if you have tested positive for Covid-19, are waiting for Covid-19 test results, or have Covid-19 symptoms. We will not enforce any penalties if you must withdraw for any such reason.

Checklist for you to bring with you if possible:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Masks KN95 or N95
• Antigen rapid tests
• Thermometer

Masks and rapid tests will be made available for participants at the registration desk.

We will monitor the situation so that our policies can best address the conditions that face us in the fall. AFS and the conference hotel are prepared to implement preventative measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Specifically, AFS will follow local and national public health regulations concerning masking and capacity limits within the conference venue and may need to update our policies. AFS will not conduct health checks or screenings.

We cannot guarantee that you will not become infected with Covid-19. We urge you to exercise caution if you have concerns about participating in the in-person meeting.

To register for the meeting, you must acknowledge that there is an inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 in any public place where people are present. If you choose to attend any in-person gathering, you assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19 and agree not to hold AFS, our officers, employees, contractors, or volunteers liable.

Furthermore, while attending any event related to the AFS annual meeting, you will be expected to follow all current local and US CDC recommendations for attending a large gathering.

Email questions or concerns to [email protected].