COVID-19 POLICY
updated December 13, 2022
Updates about attending the meeting will be e-mailed with a subject line that starts with SAA88th!
Vaccination Requirement
The SAA has contracted 42chat to handle vaccination documentation in order to protect advance registrants’ privacy while ensuring that the meeting is a safe experience for those who are comfortable traveling to Portland. All advance registrants are asked to upload proof of their vaccination status to 42chat by March 16, 2023. Instructions on how to upload your vaccination documentation can be found here.
Please be aware that COVID is an evolving situation, and information may change as guidance is updated.
Please see the 88th Annual Meeting FAQ for additional information.
After March 1, 2023, only on-site registration is available. Attendees can register on-site in Exhibit Hall B in the Oregon Convention Center level 1 starting on March 29. On-site registrants must provide proof of vaccination and bring a photo ID. The COVID-19 policy will apply, and all registrants must have received the full series of a WHO-approved vaccine (one to two, depending on the vaccine) plus at least one booster in order to attend the meeting.
At least 14 days must have passed since your last vaccine booster to be considered fully vaccinated. Therefore, you must have received at least one booster prior to March 15, 2023. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
International Attendees: The documented vaccine must be one that is approved/authorized by a relevant national medical authority. Check if your vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organization.
Masks
As of March 12, 2022, Oregon ended its indoor mask mandate. However, in Portland, for many indoor public places, masks continue to be an important public health tool for reducing the spread of COVID-19. Oregon continues to require masks be worn in healthcare settings and strongly recommends they be worn on public transportation.
You can pick up a complimentary mask at the on-site registration desk or the SAA booth.
SAA staff will update this page if the mask requirement changes.
Additional Health Care Precautions
General Wellness: We ask all attendees to be vigilant in monitoring their health. If you are experiencing flu, RSV, or COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has had COVID-19 in the 14 days before the meeting, please do not attend in person.
COVID-19 Tracking
If you contract COVID at the annual meeting, please self-report using this form to help other attendees: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n0sost-TdPcHk-M73yfZrugu5KtFhqWqdnAbjODQ6SM/edit?usp=sharing
Testing Locations in Portland, OR
The following testing locations are close to the Oregon Convention Center:
ZoomCare: 172 NE Martin Luther Jr Blvd.
Walgreens: 940 SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd.
Safeway Pharmacy: 1100 NE Broadway
Refunds and Cancellations
After March 1, only a registrant with a positive COVID test or other exceptional circumstance can request to roll over their registration fee to 2024. Please note: you still need to submit any abstract(s) or proposal to be on the 2024 program when the call for submissions opens on May 1, 2023.
The SAA does not issue any refunds except in the case of registrants who provide documentation that shows they cannot attend, such as a positive COVID test, visa denial, governmental travel advisory or prohibition, employer travel prohibition, or medical reason. In cases where the registrant submits this kind of documentation, up to the start of the annual meeting, the SAA will issue a full refund. “No shows” receive no refund.
In the event an SAA annual meeting is canceled, meeting registration fees will automatically be applied to the next year’s annual meeting unless a full refund is specifically requested.