Annual Conference 2022 – actions to mitigate against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19
26 January 2022
As part of the preparations for Annual Conference 2022 in Belfast, the Microbiology Society is planning a set of mitigations against COVID-19 at our in-person event. Council members and members of the Virus Division, including Paul Kellam (former Council Member), Gill Elliott (Council member), Stephen Griffin (former Chair of Virus Division), Jo Parish (Chair of Virus Division), Matthew Reeves (Chair Elect of Virus Division) and Elly Gaunt (Virus Division member), have worked with Society staff to develop a framework of mitigations for the Society to apply to all of its events throughout 2022, in order to ensure that these are as COVID-secure as possible.
Implementation of this framework is a shared responsibility; shared between the Society, the venues we use for our events, and all potential attendees. Attendance at any of our events is a personal choice, but it will be incumbent on all of us to deliver these mitigations in order for us to keep our delegates, members, and staff as safe as we can.
The framework covers the following five areas.
- Vaccines
- Ventilation
- Masks
- Testing
- Spacing, particularly during communal activities such as lunch and poster sessions
In light of the current circumstances, the following mitigations will be implemented for all those attending Annual Conference 2022 at the ICC Belfast. In the run up to Annual Conference 2022, these mitigations will be reviewed by the Society’s Council to ensure they remain appropriate as circumstances change.
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Mitigation area |
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Vaccines |
All attendees are required to be fully vaccinated to attend Conference. For many individuals, this will mean a primary course and booster vaccine, and with the booster administered at least 14 days before Conference. However, if this does not apply for you, please get in touch with us to discuss further. |
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Ventilation |
Real-time monitoring of CO2 levels will take place throughout the venue, with regular review and necessary rapid action. |
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Masks |
FFP3 masks will be provided to all individuals attending Conference, and everyone will be expected to wear them inside the conference venue, except when eating or drinking, at which time attendees are reminded to socially distance. |
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Testing |
Attendees will be provided with LFT devices and expected to test themselves daily at their accommodation before attending the conference venue. Proof of a negative test will be required for entrance to the Conference. |
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Spacing |
All attendees are reminded of social distancing, particularly during communal activities such as lunch and poster sessions. |
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Annual Conference 2022
The Microbiology Society's Annual Conference is the UK's largest annual gathering of microbiologists and we welcome everyone from across our community to Belfast in 2022.
Image: Belfast ICC .