[IL-Talk] Important New COvid Policy impacts state convention attendees

[Patti S Chang]

Dear all, 

 

Below you will find the Covid19 Protection Policies passed by our State
Board of Directors. The most immediate and important part of this for
in-person state convention attendees is that you need to obtain a covid test
before convention. Your test must be administered no earlier than 4:00 p.m.
on October 19th. You will want to have your test done as close to but no
earlier than 4:00 on October 19th as possible though since you need to send
your test results to our president's designee which is me for this event.
Those results must be sent by 4:00 a.m. on October 22nd. Most of us will get
our tests on October 20th while a few might get them on October 21st. Please
reach out to me offline with any questions. A list of free testing locations
is available at:

https://dph.illinois.gov/testing

You can send your results via email to pattischang at gmail.com
<mailto:pattischang at gmail.com>  or via text as a picture to 773-307-6440. 

 

NFB of Illinois Policy on In Person Gatherings

This policy is applicable to all chapters, divisions, and the affiliate, as
well as any activities, meetings, fundraisers, or in-person gatherings of an
official nature.

1.      This policy augments any local public health requirements, including
those established by the State of Illinois and the County where the event
takes place.  This policy is the minimum required for in-person events and
activities and may be more restrictive than local guidance.  However, if
local public health guidance imposes additional or more restrictive
requirements, the more restrictive requirements govern.

2.      The following individuals should stay home:

a.      Individuals who feel sick, including experiencing any of the
following symptoms: fever, sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell or taste,
or those ordinarily associated with COVID-19;

b.      Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14
days;

c.      Individuals who have a pending COVID-19 test;

d.      Individuals who have been exposed to an individual who is known or
suspected of having COVID-19;

3.      Individuals who purchase tickets for an event and either experience
symptoms or later determine they do not feel comfortable attending a large
gathering will be given full refunds;

4.      The event host must have masks on hand for individuals who do not
bring their own or whose masks are damaged or soiled;

In-door gatherings:

5.      Temperature screening will be conducted for all attendees of any
in-person gatherings with more than 30 attendees, and anyone whose
temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher will not be granted admission;

6.      Screening will be conducted for any events with more than 30
participants, and those reporting symptoms and/or recent exposure to
COVID-19 will be denied admission;

7.      Individuals must wear masks that fully cover their mouths and noses
at all times unless actively eating and drinking, and unless they have been
granted a reasonable accommodation based on disability by the affiliate
President or Vice Presidents; 

8.      Physical distancing is required at all events, e.g. 6 feet apart
unless from the same household.  For events where individuals are at round
tables, no more than 6 individuals may share a table.  Where tables are
rectangular, only every other seat may be occupied;  

9.      Events are limited to 75% venue capacity, but where it would be
difficult to ensure physical distancing as required by #8 above, capacity
may be limited to 50%;

10.   Those working the event, including guides, ticket takers, servers,
etc. must wash hands frequently consistent with CDC guidance;

11.   The event host must provide hand sanitizer and/or easy, convenient,
and accessible means for event attendees to wash their hands consistent with
CDC guidance;

12.   Individuals may only eat and drink while stationary;

13.   Food served at any events must be prepared by a commercial kitchen
that adheres to COVID-19 food preparation requirements;

14.   Individuals serving food must wear gloves;

Out-door gatherings:

15.   Individuals must follow the county's requirements concerning wearing
masks; 

16.   Physical distancing may be required at all events for individuals not
from the same household, e.g. 6 feet apart.  

17.   Those working the event, including guides, ticket takers, servers,
etc. must frequently wash hands consistent with CDC guidance;

18.   The event host must provide hand sanitizer and/or easy, convenient,
and accessible means for event attendees to wash their hands consistent with
CDC guidance;

19.   Individuals may only eat and drink while stationary;

20.   Food served at any events is recommended to be prepared by a
commercial kitchen that adheres to COVID-19 food preparation requirements;

21.   Individuals serving food must wear gloves;

 Overnight gatherings:

21All attendees must submit a negative PCR or antigen test for covid19. Said
test to be taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to the beginning of the
overnight event. Said test is required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated
attendees. Test results are to be sent via email or text to the president's
designee at least 12 hours before the event is scheduled to begin. The
presidents designee will track who has sent the test and destroy records of
the tests no later than 30 days after the event is concluded. All attendees
who do not present negative test results shall be prohibited from attendance
at overnight events. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patti Chang

2nd Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

https://www.nfbofillinois.org <https://www.nfbofillinois.org/>  

Pronouns: she, her, hers