Following the announcement on 5 May 2023 by the WHO of the end of the Covid-19 Global Health Emergency, Pro Global Media's real-world events are no longer obliged to undergo testing for Covid at the meeting.
However, we ask all delegates to take sensible precautions prior to and at the meeting, as follows.
Prior to the meeting
Delegates are required not to attend the event:
- if they feel unwell with flu-like symptoms, a continuous cough, loss of taste or smell, or high fever;
- if they have any respiratory disease (such as a cough or cold);
- if they have been in close contact with anyone with flu-like symptoms or respiratory illness in the last seven days;
- if they test positive for Covid.
If you are unable to attend the event under the above circumstances, you should claim on your own travel insurance policy. A refund of conference fees is not available (please refer to the ‘Cancellation policy’ of each individual event). However, your conference fee will be rolled-over to the next edition of the event. Proof of your positive test status and date will be required.
We are sorry for any inconvenience.
At the meeting
Please adhere to the usual and well-known basic rules of hygiene:
- If you feel unwell with a fever, cough, headache, loss of taste or smell, then self-isolate;
- Maintain a distance of at least 1m from other delegates;
- Catch a cough or sneeze in a handkerchief, tissue or in the crook of your elbow (not in your hand!);
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% - 95% alcohol immediately after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty;
- Do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes with your hands, etc.
Meetings will conform to the coronavirus regulations of the country that they are held in, and will also be adapted to the protocols of the individual event venue.
If you test positive for coronavirus at the meeting:
- You will be obliged to adhere to all Covid regulations of the host country, possibly including going into isolation, at your own expense;
- You will not be able to attend the meeting or remainder of the meeting.
Attendee COVID-19 Release & Hold Harmless Agreement
- I will comply with all orders, directives, and guidelines while attending or participating in any Event organised by Pro Global Media Ltd, or any venue hosting an Event, including, without limitation, requirements related to hand sanitation, social distancing, and use of face coverings.
- I agree not to attend any Event if I am experiencing symptoms associated with COVD-19 (such as cough, shortness of breath, fever, or loss of sense of smell or taste), have a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, or have come in contact in the last 14 days with a person who has been confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19.
- I am aware of the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and the risk that I may be exposed to or contract COVID-19 or other infectious diseases as a result of attending an Event.
- I understand and acknowledge that such exposure or infection may result in serious illness, personal injury, permanent disability, or death.
- I acknowledge that risks of exposure to COVID-19 may result from or be compounded by the actions, omissions, or negligence of others, including Pro Global Media Ltd, the venue hosting an Event, and their respective agents, employees, and contractors.
- I acknowledge that I am attending one or more Events with knowledge of the risks associated with COVID-19 and the danger of exposure attendance may pose. I hereby accept and assume all risks of personal injury, illness, disability, and death resulting from COVID-19 arising from attending or participating in the Event(s), whether caused by the negligence of Pro Global Media Ltd, a Partner Association, the venue hosting an event, their respective agents, employees, or contractors, or otherwise.
- I hereby expressly waive and release any and all claims, now known or hereafter known, against Pro Global Media Ltd, and its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, members, successors, and assigns (collectively, "Releasees"), on account of injury, illness, disability, or death, arising out of or attributable to my attendance at or participation in any Event and exposure to or contraction of COVID-19, whether arising out of the negligence of any Releasee, the venue hosting an Event or such venue’s agents or employees, or otherwise. I covenant not to make or bring any such claim against any Releasee, and forever release and discharge each Releasee from liability under, and will hold the Releasees harmless against, such claims.
We thank you for your understanding.
Notes
This policy will be updated on an ongoing basis, as required.
The obligation to show proof of vaccination during registration and the requirement for Covid testing on each day of the conference were rescinded on 21 April 2022. The obligation to undergo Covid testing on arrival at the venue was rescinded on 24 May 2023.
This policy was first announced on 26 February 2020, and was last updated on 22 August 2024 at 13.34 GMT.
References
1 https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
2 https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
3 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
4 http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19
5 https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks
6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ucmoVPrKto
7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2014.04.011
8 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/fully-vaccinated-people.html
9 https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines
