COVID Protocol  - A Message from the NZES Society

This year’s conference in Dunedin will be the first in-person NZES conference since 2019. Given the global spread of Covid-19 the NZES council needed to make the difficult decisions to cancel in 2020 and hold a virtual conference in 2021. These decisions were made in order to keep our membership safe.

While the Government has now moved to remove mask and vaccination mandates in most situations, Covid has not gone away and remains a significant threat to public health. This is particularly the case given the recent detection of new variants in New Zealand. The weight of scientific opinion supports a cautious approach to large gatherings of people from around the country as these can lead to high rates of transmission and have a detrimental impact on participants, particularly those people who are most vulnerable to the virus.

Given the weight of scientific opinion and the NZES’ responsibility to run a safe conference for all attendees, the NZES expects the following:

• Masks (N95, KN95 or P2 ratings) to be worn. Attendees are asked to bring these with them, though some can be provided on a daily basis for those who need them.
• Rapid Antigen Tests be taken prior to traveling and ideally before commencement of each day at the conference. RATs will be made available at the conference for those who need them
• Maximise ventilation within the facility
• Delegates to stay home if they are sick.

Delegates who are unable to attend the conference because of Covid-related illness are eligible to apply for a partial refund and an extension of their membership for a year. The amount will be at the discretion of the Society, depending on the financial situation at the conclusion of the conference. Alternatively, delegates may choose to gift their registration to someone else noting that there may be a cost difference to pay depending on membership status and attendance options.

For more relevant information refer to:

https://www.tepunahamatatini.ac.nz/our-values/safe-covid-19-events/ and

https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2022/09/12/the-end-of-the-covid-19-protection-framework-expert-reaction/