ASA Annual Meeting COVID-19 Protocol

REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTENDANCE

ASA is committed to ensuring a meeting that is as safe as possible. We recognize that the COVID-19 situation is fluid and requirements may change in line with evolving conditions.

Attendees must abide by the following requirements:

1. Attendees must be fully vaccinated with one booster dose. For US-based attendees, this means three doses of Moderna or Pfizer; two doses of Johnson & Johnson; or one dose of Johnson & Johnson plus a booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer, all completed at least 14 days prior to arrival. For international attendees, the documented vaccine/booster must be among those approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization. Exemptions will only be considered for attendees with a note from a medical doctor advising against vaccination. Information on how to provide vaccination information for pre-verification is outlined below.

2. Meeting badges will be required to access ASA event space and the ASA shuttle. Please wear your badge at all times. This means that only attendees who are registered for the meeting (who have documented vaccine status and agreed to follow this list of requirements) will be allowed in our space.

3. Masks must be worn, fully covering your nose and mouth, at all times when using the ASA shuttle and in indoor ASA event space unless actively eating, drinking, or presenting. Masks are optional at outdoor events.

Note: Children under 18 are required to show proof of vaccination and get a meeting badge at the registration desk, though they do not need to pay for registration. Children are expected to follow the same requirements as adults, to the extent possible, and wear a badge and mask in all ASA event space. Children 6 months and up must be fully vaccinated, children 5 years and older must have fully vaccinated plus booster. Fully vaccinated means two doses of Moderna or Pfizer.

Before You Arrive

  1. Submit Proof of Vaccination. All attendees are required to upload proof of full vaccination plus one booster before retrieving their badge. ASA has partnered with Health Shield by 42Chat to manage the collection and validation of vaccine documentation. To upload your documents, you will need to do the following:
  • You may use either your own mobile phone (preferred) or any web-enabled device to access 42Chat.
  • If using a mobile phone (preferred), text “Hi” to 888-655-0180 or scan the QR code below to get started. Only one person may upload documentation per mobile phone number. 

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  • If you do not have a mobile phone or do not have text capability, click on this link to use a web-enabled device.
  • Follow the prompts to create your profile and upload your documentation.
  • If you have any questions about verifying your vaccine records, please contact the ASA Health Team at [email protected].
  1. Review CDC recommendations and guidance on domestic travel and international travel. Both pages include information for before, during, and after travel.

Onsite in Los Angeles

  • Attendees will be asked to respond to a daily wellness check message—delivered directly to your mobile phone—confirming that you are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and have not been in recent close contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19. While response to the message is voluntary, we ask that you consider these issues each day and do not enter the ASA event space or use the shuttle if you have symptoms or have had close contact with someone experiencing symptoms.
  • Attendees are required to wear meeting badges to access ASA event space and the ASA shuttle. Please wear your badge at all times. This means that only attendees who are registered for the meeting (who have documented vaccine status and agreed to follow this list of requirements) will be allowed in our space. Note that you need to pick up your badge at the convention center before you can access meeting space at the JW Marriott. Please leave enough time in your schedule to enter the convention center for the first time and get your meeting badge.  
  • Masks must be worn, fully covering your nose and mouth, at all times when using the ASA shuttle and at an indoor ASA event space unless actively eating, drinking, or presenting. Masks are optional at outdoor events. Attendees are asked to bring their own masks, but a limited number will be available upon request at the ASA registration counter for emergency use only.
  • Social distancing is encouraged whenever possible.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the ASA event space—in both the JW Marriott and the Los Angeles Convention Center —and on ASA shuttles.
  • Rapid self-tests will be available upon request to attendees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Contact the ASA Health Team at [email protected] to request that a test be delivered to your hotel room. ASA can only deliver tests to official meeting hotels.

If you have any questions about the onsite COVID-19 protocol, please contact the ASA Health Team at [email protected].

Additional Information

  • Meeting chairs and session presiders are asked to remind attendees at the start of a meeting or session that masks are required unless actively presenting.
  • Visit the Los Angeles County COVID Act Now site for updated information.
  • The nearest hospital to the Los Angeles Convention Center is the California Hospital, 1401 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, (213) 748-2411.
  • The nearest 24-hour pharmacy to the Los Angeles Convention Center is Ralph’s Market, 645 W. 9th Street, Los Angeles, (213) 452-0830.
  • The nearest urgent care clinic to the Los Angeles Convention Center is Reliant Urgent Care, 814 Francisco, Los Angeles, (310) 491-7070.
  • The nearest testing location to the Los Angeles Convention Center is SameDay Health located across the street at 1046 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA, 90015. This is an outdoor location set up in an open parking lot. No appointment needed for walk up testing. Open Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and weekdays 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to wear a mask?
Yes. Masks are required at all times while attending indoor components of the ASA Annual Meeting except when actively eating, drinking, or presenting. Masks are optional for outdoor events.

In LA County, masks are required on public transportation and at indoor transportation hubs (such as airports). LA County strongly encourages everyone – whether vaccinated or not – to wear masks in all public indoor and outdoor spaces.

What happens if I forget (or lose) my mask?
ASA will have a limited supply of masks available at the registration area for attendees who do not have their own.

What does “fully vaccinated” mean?
Attendees must be fully vaccinated with one booster dose. For U.S.-based attendees, this means three doses of Moderna or Pfizer; two doses of Johnson & Johnson; or one dose of Johnson & Johnson plus a booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer, all completed at least 14 days prior to arrival. For international attendees, the documented vaccine/booster must be among those approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization. Exemptions will only be considered for attendees with a note from a medical doctor advising against vaccination. For the purposes of attending the ASA Annual Meeting, one is considered fully vaccinated if they received their final vaccination on or before July 19, 2022.

Are attendees screened for illness?
Attendees are asked to self-monitor their health while attending the event by filling in a wellness check each day. The wellness checker will be delivered via the same mobile device that attendees use to upload vaccine documentation.

What if I feel unwell while I’m in Los Angeles?
Please do not come to the meeting if you develop symptoms associated with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms during the meeting, please return to your hotel room immediately. You can contact the ASA Health team at [email protected] for a list of testing locations and medical facilities (also listed above) if you wish to seek medical attention. The Health Team can also arrange to deliver a COVID-19 self-test to your hotel room. ASA can only deliver tests to official meeting hotels.