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Arisia 2025 will be at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge, January 17-20, 2025.


COVID-19 Policies for Arisia 2025

Masking - Masking Optional Spaces - Vaccination - Covid Testing Policy for Staff & Volunteers - Exposure to Individuals Who Test Positive for COVID - Post-Con Covid Positive Testing Policy

Page Last Updated: October 14, 2024

Masking

Updated: September 24, 2024

All of us on the Con Chair team recognize the importance of communicating clearly, early and often about the COVID policy for Arisia 2025.

A major factor in all of Arisia's decisions about COVID policy is how to make our events accessible for the largest number of people. We want to be clear both with our words and with our actions that we value the members of our community who are medically vulnerable, immunocompromised or elderly. To that end, we have decided that for Arisia 2025 we will continue to require masks without an exhalation vent over the nose and mouth in convention spaces for all attendees including those in Youth Services. A minimum of a surgical mask is required. We strongly encourage people to use N95, KN95, KF-94 or FFP2 masks whenever possible.

We understand that at this point in the pandemic, it is rare for events to require masks. Though this may pose an inconvenience for some of our attendees, it will enable more of Arisia's convention-goers to attend. We know that there will probably be some people who are not safe in even a masked crowd and who still won't be able to join us, but we believe this decision means a larger portion of our community will be able to be present. After the last few years, that's what matters the most to us.

While we hope people will stay masked as much as they are able, there are some spaces where attendees can take breaks from having their masks on. We will once again have designated spaces which will be, a mask-optional space where snacks and drinks will be available and where people are welcome to bring in their own food. As with last year, we expect the hotel will not require masks in public spaces, such as the lobby and restaurants, although we encourage attendees to remain masked in more crowded and cramped public spaces, like the elevators.

Private parties will also be able to set their own policies. Details are coming soon.

Some performances will allow performers to be unmasked.

Mask Optional Spaces

Within the convention, certain spaces will be available to eat and take a mask break. This list will be updated before convention, but as of time of publication, we anticipate:
  • Inman Square
  • Suite 1401
  • Teen Lounge, (one of the teen lounge rooms will be mask optional)
  • Other spaces may be announced
  • All Mask Optional Spaces will have a sign posted

Vaccination

updated: September 24,2024

A major factor in all of Arisia’s decisions about COVID policy is how to make our events accessible for the largest number of people, and this continues to guide our thinking.

We encourage  anyone who can get the newest booster to  get it both for their own safety and the safety of those around them. We are confident that we will still have a very high percentage of fully vaccinated and boosted attendees, and that combined with the mask mandate will minimize the risk of COVID transmission at the convention. We are also strongly encouraging everyone who can to get the flu shot to do so at least 2 weeks before the convention.

We look to our community to help us stop the spread of illnesses:
  • Get vaccinated if you can: Covid boosters and flu boosters are especially important, but if you are eligible for RSV vaccinations, we recommend those as well.
  • If you are sick in the week leading up to the convention, stay home. We will ensure you can roll over your 2025 registration to 2026.
  • If you live with someone who has tested positive for covid or flu within the week leading up to the convention, please stay home.
  • Test and isolate in your hotel room – or at home –  if you become symptomatic. We plan to have some Covid tests on-hand for those who are unable to or forget to bring their own.
  • Thank you all for helping keep our community safe so that we can all have a fun convention. Please remember: Arisia 2025 will require attendees to mask in convention space, which we hope will keep our attendees safe from COVID, as well as the flu strain and RSV. And we strongly encourage attendees to get vaccinated for COVID and flu to protect themselves and others.

Covid Testing Policy for Staff & Volunteers


We encourage all staff and volunteers to be fully vaccinated and boosted for convention. We request that all staff and volunteers take a COVID test five days prior to arriving at convention and again upon arrival.
  • If you test positive prior to arriving at convention, please alert your division that you will not be able to attend.
  • If you test positive after arriving at the convention, we require that you notify safety@arisia.org if you test positive for COVID at the convention.
  • If you are not able to attend due to a positive COVID test, please email registration@arisia.org to request your registration be rolled over to 2026. You can expect a reply after the convention.  

Exposure to Individuals Who Test Positive for COVID


If you are aware that you were exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID prior to arriving at the convention you should not attend the convention.

If you become exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID after arriving at the convention, please remove yourself from the convention and either isolate yourself in your hotel room or go home.

Failure to comply will be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct.

Post-Con Covid Positive Testing Policy


As at our 2024 convention, Arisia will be tracking COVID cases at the convention. We are asking our attendees to follow the procedures below if they suspect they have developed COVID during the convention or the 7 days after.

  • If you become ill during the convention, immediately isolate either by returning home or going to your hotel room.
  • Take a COVID test. If you are on site and need a COVID test, contact Click here to show mail address and they will deliver 2 tests to your hotel room.
  • If your COVID test is negative, continue to isolate as false negatives are common in the early stages of infection
  • If your COVID test is positive, notify Click here to show mail addresshere to show mail address, including any information you are comfortable providing about your activities at the convention.
  • Safety will publish anonymized reports to the Arisia website, social media and at con newsletter. The reports will take the following format:
  • An individual reported a positive COVID test on (day) at (time). They attended (activities) and were unmasked in the (location) on (day) at(time).
  • People who test negative on the first test should test a second time 48 hours later and follow the above procedure if they test positive.
  • If you become ill during the 7 days following the convention, take at least 2 COVID tests 48 hours apart to determine if you have COVID
  • Positive tests should be reported in the same manner as they are reported during con. We will continue to post COVID updates until seven days after con.