These protocols are the UUA policy as of June 2024.  General Assembly passed an Action of Immediate Witness titled Centering Love Amidst the Ongoing Impact of COVID-19, which  requires the UUA and encourages congregations to take actions to protect those who can’t get COVID, including masking.

As UUs, we are committed to equity, justice and liberation. This includes protecting those in our community who are most vulnerable, and creating event spaces that can be welcoming to a wide range of people based on their risk or health status. 

Guidelines: 

The UUA is committed to promoting a safe environment for all members of our community and guests. Considering the ever-changing impact of the coronavirus variants, UUA Events share the following guidelines:  

  • Onsite attendees are required to be vaccinated and boosted, if eligible.  
  • Masks are required in our indoor meeting spaces except when eating or drinking. Weather permitting, we will share our meals outdoors. 
  • Masks are optional in workshops and programs with fewer than 30 people if no one is wearing an ID that says they need masking and everyone in the room agrees.
  • Testing before you travel is required. We will have rapid antigen tests on site at our event in the instance someone starts to feel unwell while attending.  
  • If someone tests positive at an event, they should notify the event organizers immediately.  
  • Attendees will be welcome and encouraged to bring their own masks. A limited number of masks will be available for attendees who need them – minimum surgical quality masks.
  • Guidelines for when testing positive in terms of isolation and masking will follow the current recommendations of the CDC.

We hope everyone will understand and embrace these guidelines in the spirit of the UUA’s values as a caring community. 

To be clear, here is how this will apply at Summer Institute:

When you register on-site you will be given the option of adding a colored sticker to your nametag. The colors represent the following:

RED – Please wear a mask when you approach me
YELLOW – Let’s be cautious, masks not required but please keep your distance
GREEN – I am open to mask-free conversations and interactions

Masks will always be required in most indoor spaces:

  1. All events in the Performance Center will require all attendees, including the choir and folk orchestra, to wear masks. Orchestra members may remove masks when playing an instrument. Those presenting or conducting services on the stage may remove their mask during their portion of the presentation. Events in the Performance Center include:
    • Morning worship
    • Evening vespers
    • Theme talks
    • Evening musical events (Small ensembles, talent shows, concerts)
    • PEEK!
  2. Afternoon INDOOR theme talk-back sessions with Julian Soto, if OUTDOORS masks are optional.
  3. In the dining hall lines and while getting food/drinks or moving from your table to other areas. Masks are not required while at your table but we ask that when you “rise up, mask up” and please use your mask when not at your table. Note that limited outdoor dining is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  4. In the Convocation Center.

Masking will be optional in some spaces:

  1. Outdoor events
  2. Swimming pool for open swim and water aerobics

Current UUA Guidelines are: “Smaller groups may consent to remove masks or make them optional. This consent should be explicit, and groups must remain masked at the request of any person/attendee. Masks are always welcome in any space.” We will follow this guideline in all other spaces not listed above such as:

  • Morning Seminars
  • Afternoon workshops
  • Dorm Lounges and shared spaces

When you register you will be asked to agree to the COVID Acknowledgement:

I understand that travel and gathering involves risk of sickness, including sickness from COVID-19. I (and on behalf of my minor guest(s)) waive and release the UUA, its board, sponsors and exhibitors, employees, and agents, from and against claims, liabilities and expenses arising from injury, sickness or death from contraction or spread of COVID-19 or other communicable disease due to travel to or attendance at an event sponsored by the UUA. I will take necessary precautions while at the event including, but not limited to, engaging in appropriate social distancing, wearing a mask when requested and/or required, minimize face touching, frequently washing hands and avoiding risky environments such as overcrowded rooms. I agree to remove myself from all event gatherings if I feel ill or have exposure to a COVID-19 case. I understand that I am financially responsible for all expenses should I overstay my departure date, under the direction of a medical professional, due to COVID-19. This waiver and release are binding on me and my heirs and successors. 

Questions

Please contact SICOM at sicom@cersiuu.org with any questions.