COVID-19 Policy and Procedures

We are 100% committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all SID attendees, exhibitors, partners, and administrative team. We are in the process of putting rigorous plans in place for the 2022 Annual Meeting and our return to an in-person conference.  Our plan is designed to create the best experience possible…one where you can safely and effectively learn great science.  We hope that the information below answers questions that you may have.  Below, please find our policies for how we are adapting to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

To enable in-person events to take place with lower risk to participants, effective immediately and until further notice, the SID is requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (plus booster) for admittance to ALL SID in-person meetings and events.  Click this link to see a list of approved vaccines.

Vaccine Registration

The SID is working on the details that will enable those attending the in-person meeting to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination during the on-site registration/check-in process. The structure of that protocol will be communicated as soon as possible.

For In-Person Attendees

All SID attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, staff, and contracted vendors will be asked to show proof of full vaccination upon arrival at the meeting venue in Portland. If an attendee cannot or will not show proof of vaccination, we then invite you to join us virtually as you will NOT be admitted to the Annual Meeting.  A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose series/plus a booster, or two weeks after a single dose of a one-dose vaccine/plus a booster.  Available data suggest that patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset.  Therefore we ask that if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 10 days of symptom onset and also within 10 days of the start of the Annual Meeting, that you participate in the virtual platform only.

All attendees will be asked to sign a waiver acknowledging the inherent risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That waiver was made available to all participants upon advanced online registration and will be available at on-site registration. It can also be viewed by clicking HERE.

On successful completion of the vaccine verification process, SID on-site attendees will be granted access to the registration desk. Attendees will also be provided with a choice of different colored badge lanyards that will help identify your preference in interacting with fellow attendees.  The color red will denote a preference of maintaining 6 feet of distance, yellow for cautious interactions, and green for a willingness to have close discussions.  We ask to respect the wishes of all participants at the time of the event.

Should the SID be forced to cancel its in-person event in Portland because it is illegal or impossible to hold, all attendees will be welcome to join us virtually, and we will be in touch with attendees regarding partial and/or full refunds at the time that such announcement is made.

All attendees should know we take the coronavirus very seriously and are monitoring local and state updates. For the latest data on the coronavirus’ impacts on Portland, we are monitoring data from both the City of Portland Health Department as well as from the State of Oregon.  As the COVID pandemic is an ongoing event requiring consistent monitoring, additional precautions, including but not limited to temperature checks, masking, and health questionnaires, may be enforced. Additional measures will be communicated to attendees, speakers, sponsors, and vendors as soon as possible.

Please Note that Health and Safety Protocols are subject to change at any time.  All such changes will be updated on this page as well as communicated as quickly as possible with registered attendees.

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February 28, 2022

• The State of Oregon has indicated that they plan to remove their mask mandates no later that March 31, 2022.  The SID will comply with state and local mandates at the time of the in-person meeting.

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Effective August 27. 2021 the State of Oregon has the following guidelines in place:

“To slow the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, a statewide mask mandate is in place. Oregonians and visitors ages 5 and up are required to wear face coverings in all public indoor settings, as well as crowded outdoor public spaces where physical distancing is not possible, regardless of vaccination status.

Some Oregon businesses are starting to require proof of vaccination and/or a recent negative COVID test as well. Please check with individual businesses on their policies before visiting, and continue to be patient, flexible and kind, especially if asked to mask up or share your vaccination status. ”

For more information and resources, visit coronavirus.oregon.gov