The goal of this policy is to make the in-person ICBEM conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico as safe and covid-19-free as possible for conferees, guests, and staff at the La Fonda Hotel.

To achieve this objective, vaccination and an upload of proof of vaccination will be required at the time of registration for all conferees and for any guests participating in conference activities. Conferees and their guests must also make a personal commitment to notify conference organizers if they develop covid-19 symptoms or a positive covid-19 test result while at the conference.

The regulations and guidelines devised by the USA Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New Mexico Department of Health will be followed for participation in the ICBEM 2022 conference. International travelers must satisfy the CDC requirements to enter the USA, i.e., vaccination, documentation, and negative covid test just prior to travel. USA residents must be fully vaccinated by CDC criteria. USA residents are not required to take a covid test (unless granted a vaccination exemption, see below), but if any conferee has questions or doubts regarding their health status a Covid test is strongly advised, along with other precautions.

ICBEM 2022 will allow exceptions to the vaccination policy for persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a covid-19 vaccine. If an exemption is requested, please provide a letter from a licensed physician documenting the medical contraindication by email to icbem2020@gmail.com prior to registration. Those receiving an exemption will be asked to provide proof of a negative covid-19 PCR test obtained within 48 hours prior to arrival at the conference site.

The fluid nature of the covid-19 pandemic is recognized, and conference guidelines will be updated, with either more or less stringent requirements, as appropriate. As of February, 2022, wearing of face masks and social distancing are among the New Mexico regulations for indoor gatherings and public indoor activities. All conferees are, therefore, recommended to utilize KN95 or N95 masks as much as possible, as these have been shown to be most effective. As of now, masks will also be required for excursion travel. As appropriate, conference organizers will optimize social distancing during the speaker presentations and discussions, during poster sessions, and during meals. Conferees will be able to decline housekeeping services if desired.

Conferees are advised to ensure that their travel and medical insurance will cover health emergencies, including hospitalization, quarantine, and change of travel plans.

For detailed information related to accepted vaccines, definitions of fully vaccinated, acceptable proof of vaccination, and exemptions and documentation thereof, please visit the following web sites:

CDC rules and regulations
New Mexico Department of Health orders

For questions or concerns, please contact us by email.