Health and Safety Frequently Asked Questions For All Attendees: Registrants, Guests, Exhibitors, Speakers, Vendors and Staff
The health, safety and well being of the National Medical Association (NMA) and Auxiliary to the National Medical Association (ANMA) in-person 2022 Annual Convention attendees is of primary importance to both organizations. Please carefully read the following health and safety protocols to ensure admission to the meeting and the safest possible experience.
THESE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS MAY BE REVISED OR UPDATED AT ANY TIME.
Please forward any questions to Memberservices@nmanet.org with subject COVID-19 Question.
ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE VACCINATED
Proof of vaccination must be submitted for all attendees prior to traveling to the meeting*. NMA will be following the guidelines for ‘up to date’ according to CDC guidelines prior to the June 27, 2022 change. All eligible individuals must have received their primary series and at least one booster. We ask that you self-test prior to traveling to the meeting. We also encourage you to re-test after 3 days at the meeting.
CDC recommends COVID-19 primary series vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older, if eligible. **Given the recent change and availability of vaccines series for children 6months to 4 yo, it will not be required for this meeting.
Proof of Vaccination and Waiver
While every effort will be made to reduce the risk of COVID-19 at the meeting, due to travel, potential exposure at the airport, hotel or in the city, the risk of exposure to illness still exits. All attendees must sign a waiver form to attend the convention and attest to vaccination.
Please review and SIGN the Waiver Form and upload your vaccination information HERE. This information must be uploaded prior to your arrival at convention. Please avoid any delay in receiving your credentials on-site or ability to attend the meeting by uploading this information as soon as possible. We suggest bringing a photo or digital copy of your vaccination card as well.
Medical or Religious Exemptions
Members of the NMA COVID-19 Task Force will consider exemptions on an individual basis. Individuals seeking exemptions must forward a letter outlining the need for exemption, prior to your arrival at convention, to Memberservices@nmanet.org with SUBJECT: COVID-19 EXEMPTION. Please avoid non-entry to the meeting by submitting your information for review as soon as possible.
For those whose exemption is accepted or have not received a primary series + at least one booster, if eligible, proof of a negative PCR within 72 hours of arrival at the meeting AND a negative antigen test on arrival will be required prior to obtaining conference credentials. CLICK HERE for additional information on eMed onsite testing. Negative PCR results must be printed and brought onsite.
Masks
Mask wearing will be REQUIRED of all attendees, when not actively eating or drinking, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Hyatt Regency, or any other NMA contracted venues not limited to NMA events in hotels, the ANMA Marketplace, the exhibit floor and on shuttle buses regardless of whether it is required by law at the time of the convention. Cloth masks alone are not acceptable. We strongly urge a KN95 or N95 mask for best protection.
Convention Credentials
Proof of vaccination and signed waiver are required to receive convention credentials. All attendees must pick up their own badges at registration. Due to safety measures and vaccine verification requirements, you will not be allowed to pick up credentials for another individual. Badges will signify, with the NMA dot, that a participant has complied with proof of vaccination or negative test requirement. Badges must be worn at all times to gain admittance to any NMA convention function.
ON-SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Personal Responsibility
Convention attendees, presenters and exhibitors are asked to self-monitor while attending the convention. We encourage testing every 3 days while on-site. If you should develop COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that you immediately remove yourself from the conference, isolate, test and follow CDC guidelines.
If you plan to go offsite in Atlanta, we encourage you to continue to practice safe and healthy practices that prevent the spread of COVID-19 including mask wearing indoors, social distancing and hand washing.
If you learn you were in “close contact” with an individual with COVID-19, please follow the CDC recommendations for quarantine and testing based on vaccination status.
How are we promoting safety at the convention center?
There are hand-sanitizing stations provided throughout the Georgia World Congress Center and on the exhibit floor. The exhibit hall is designed to accommodate social distancing in aisles and general spaces. Hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the Exhibit Hall for exhibitor and attendee use.
