The Covid-19 health measures established for the 2022 American Studies Association annual meeting remain in place for our upcoming conference in Montreal, November 2-5, 2023.

We advance these protocols with our attendees in mind, including those who are immunocompromised, children, and the many workers who help to make this conference happen. You will be asked to confirm your willingness to abide by judicious health and safety guidelines at on-site registration and check in.

We would like to encourage a safe and healthy attendance by, asking that everyone follow protocols listed below:

• All conference attendees must be fully vaccinated (with the exception of those with medical conditions precluding vaccination). We strongly encourage attendees to get the 2023 Covid vaccine as soon as possible.
• While in the conference session rooms and common areas, masks are required unless eating, drinking, or presenting at least six feet from anyone else. You should use the highest quality masks available (N95, KF94, KN95). Cloth masks are far less effective and should not be used unless over a higher quality mask. We will have a limited supply of masks and encourage you to bring extra masks to help us maintain this practice.
• We are requiring that all conference attendees get a negative Covid test result (by lab or home test) within 24 hours prior to your first entry to the conference. We are providing a limited number of rapid tests in the event that you or someone you know shows symptoms or is exposed during the conference, was exposed, or wants to be careful. Given the robust numbers of conference attendees, please stock up on home tests now and consider donating factory-sealed home tests to help us maintain a supply on-site.
• Upon first entry to the conference, all attendees must attest to the following:
  • "I am fully vaccinated with COVID-19 approved vaccinations.
  • I have taken a COVID test within 24 hours of the conference and will not attend if I test positive. 
  • I will monitor my symptoms each day and will not attend the conference if I show symptoms and test positively.
  • I will abide by health and safety guidelines posted for all attendees."
• We strongly encourage all attendees to do a rapid test before entering the conference on each successive day. Home tests have proven to be 80-90% at detecting infection. The combination of regular testing, masking, and distancing is the best way to ensure your safety and the safety of your ASA colleagues. Please pack multiple rapid tests in your bags.
• With our most vulnerable community members in mind, we urge all of our community members at large to please remain safe and healthy. Please wash your hands regularly, remain in your hotel room if you feel sick or are showing any symptoms, and make note of local care options in the event of a positive COVID case.
• While not required to register, dependents of conference participants must follow these guidelines (based on age appropriateness).

As a final note, in accordance with the ASA’s values and principles, accountability to uphold these guidelines and requirements will be based on collective care and mutual aid rather than policing and surveillance. We know that you come to the ASA because it constitutes a special site of solidarity, and we will continue to rely on ourselves rather than outside forces to keep it that way.
 
If you have specific questions regarding this policy or to request accommodations for persons with disabilities or medical conditions, please email <asaaccessibility@gmail.com>