COVID-19 Policies and Precautions

This page provides information on COVID-19 policies and precautions at the 2022 AMS-SEM-SMT Joint Annual Meeting. It will be updated as local health guidelines and conditions change.
Line drawing of man in a surgical mask

What We Are Doing

  • Vaccine Requirement: All registered attendees will be required to provide proof that they have been vaccinated with a World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine. (Alternatively, attendees who are unwilling or unable to meet this vaccination requirement will instead be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days of the start of the conference and report the results of daily testing during the conference.)
  • Indoor Masking: When indoors and not actively presenting, eating, or drinking, all registered attendees are asked to wear a surgical mask or higher-level respirator (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94, etc.).
  • Air Purification: As part of ongoing efforts to minimize COVID-19 infections, the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel, site of the 2022 AMS-SEM-SMT Joint Annual Meeting, has been upgraded to include air purification units in most meeting rooms and public spaces.
  • Reduced Contact: To minimize person-to-person contact, we will be mailing name badges to all attendees who reside in the United States and who register on or before 5 October 2022 and verify their vaccination status on or before 10 October 2022. This will sharply reduce lines for information and materials at the Registration Desk, minimizing disease transmission and ensuring a smoother conference experience for all. (We apologize for any inconvenience, but for reasons of cost and because postal reliability varies internationally, we cannot mail name badges to attendees coming from outside the United States.)
  • Monitor Local Conditions: To help protect the health of attendees, we are actively monitoring community health conditions and will conform to all health requirements implemented by state and local authorities. 

What You Should Do

  • Daily Testing: We strongly recommend that all attendees take a COVID-19 antigen test before leaving home to travel to the conference and each day while they are attending the conference. Attendees who test positive before traveling to the meeting should refrain from attending. Those who test positive after arrival should isolate themselves from others as much as possible and avoid participating in any activity with others while not wearing a surgical mask or high-quality respirator. (COVID-19 antigen tests are available free to all U.S. residents from COVID.gov. Tests may be purchased online or at most local pharmacies. Free and paid testing is also available at these locations in New Orleans.)
  • Symptom Checks: Because symptoms of COVID-19 can often precede positive antigen test results, we strongly recommend that all attendees conduct regular symptom checks. Attendees who experience symptoms of COVID-19 (i.e., fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, fatigue, headache, congestion, or loss of taste/smell) should behave presumptively as if they have a confirmed case of COVID-19. This means they should isolate themselves from others as much as possible and avoid participating in any activity with others while not wearing a surgical mask or high-quality respirator.
  • Socialize Outdoors: Greatly reduce your exposure to COVID-19 by socializing outdoors. The Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and has ample outdoor seating and promenade space. We strongly encourage you to hold face-to-face conversations with friends and colleagues in the open air.
  • Social Distance Indoors: The density of COVID-19 particles diminishes with distance. So, when engaged in conversations indoors, stand back and space out as much as possible.
  • Hygiene: Take extra care with personal hygiene while at the conference. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and make use of the sanitizer stations placed throughout the conference venue.
  • Get a Booster: Get a vaccine booster shot 2-6 weeks before the conference. It will reduce your susceptibility to COVID-19 and lessen the probability of a severe disease episode if you are infected.
  • Monitor Local Conditions: Keep informed about local conditions and levels of community transmission by monitoring the NOLA Ready website or texting COVIDNOLA to 77295 to receive alerts about COVID from the City of New Orleans.