Health and Safety

Event Safety and Responsibility

Diversity Abroad is committed to providing a safe and welcoming conference environment. All participants, including, but not limited to attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, Diversity Abroad staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by our code of conduct, and all polices in effect for the event.

We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for the Global Inclusion Conference regularly and coordinate national resources, state, and local public health agencies, and the conference venues.

We will continue to assess the risks in the area local to the event and the United States.

As of August 1, 2022, we have updated our policies outlined below, and we reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of the current global pandemic.

Vaccination and Testing

We encourage all participants at the #GIC22, which will be held exclusively in-person, whether a presenter, attendee, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor be fully vaccinated.

Diversity Abroad is following the CDC definition of fully vaccinated for vaccination requirement for the event.

Diversity Abroad strongly encourages individuals to be tested for COVID prior to traveling to any Diversity Abroad event.

Travel Guidelines

Attendees should follow current CDC guidelines for travel, whether you’re flying internationally or domestically.

Masks

The city of San Francisco does not currently hold an indoor mask mandate and the CDC launched new guidance regarding COVID-19 Community Levels.  As a result, masks are not mandated in indoor settings, including the San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel (see Marriott cleaning policies). Wearing a mask at #GIC22 is a personal choice, and we ask that everyone makes their choice responsibly and respect other attendees’ decisions to wear (or not) a mask. Given the numbers of individuals planning to attend the Global Inclusion Conference, we strongly encourage participants to wear masks throughout the event. Masks must cover both the mouth and nose. We ask that participants honor the requests of others to mask up and/or maintain physical distancing.

Please contact the Diversity Abroad staff at [email protected] for more information.

Physical Distancing

While many venues are not currently requiring physical distancing, Diversity Abroad will provide physically distant seating and event space set-up to allow individuals who wish to physically distance while in sessions to do so comfortably. Additionally, to help attendees communicate their level of comfort in interacting with one another, Diversity Abroad will provide color-coded ribbons to all onsite attendees:

• Red = Greet From 6 Feet
• Yellow = Elbows or fist bumps
• Green = Handshakes and hi-fives

Continued Planning

Diversity Abroad is continuing to develop onsite protocols for seating, signage, meals, and other events during the Global Inclusion Conference. More information will be posted on this website throughout the preparation for your arrival in San Francisco.

Additional Resources

• CDC Advice for Prevention

• San Francisco Department of Public Health

• San Francisco Marriott Marquis