COVID-19 Safety

The MWMA Board has developed a full COVID policy for the 2023 Ale.

Masks: 

The MWMA will enforce a mask policy based on CDC guidelines and current COVID conditions. Masks will be provided by the Ale for all attendees.

Vaccination:

NEW NOTE: *It has been pointed out that we published a section of our Covid-19 Policy that may directly contradict the CDC guidelines that we pointed to for our Policy.

“This means that each participant will have received all COVID immunization shots they are currently eligible to receive, including the primary series of 1 or 2 shots and a recent (within a year) booster shot.”

This has led to some confusion. Please know that we are using the CDC guidelines for how we determine that you are “up to date”. For the vast majority of people this will mean having received the updated bivalent booster, available to adults in the US since September 2, 2022. I encourage everyone who is at all cautious about this to register as soon as possible and include your vaccine information. That way we can pre verify you and contact you to assist you if there is anything not easily verifiable.

Many of the registrants have covid cards that show they have a booster in September of 2022. Many  of these cards do not specify that they are Bi-valent shots. We will assume that they have received the latest shot and are up to date.

The Midwest Morris Ale will require proof of up-to-date vaccination. This includes the primary series of one or two shots, and any additional booster shots. Most people are eligible for a booster shot, and the Midwest Ale will require the primary shot(s) plus a booster for most attendees.

The timing of your eligibility for a booster will depend on which shot you received. To find out if you are up-to-date on your vaccination, check the CDC guidance on this topic.

You will be required to show proof by either uploading a photo when you register (recommended), or bringing your card (or a digital photo of your card) to the Ale for your check in.

We strongly recommend providing your vaccine record ahead of time, to expedite your arrival process at the Ale. If you forget your vaccine record card and are unable to present it at check-in, you will not be permitted to attend the Ale, and we will not be able to provide a refund of your registration fee.

Testing:

The Midwest Morris Ale asks that each registered participant take a COVID test TWICE at the Ale, once upon arrival and once Saturday late afternoon. Each attendee will be required to take a rapid antigen test at the registration desk prior to entering the Ale site.

To reduce operating costs for the Ale, the COVID team is asking participants to supply their own Covid testing supplies, if possible. Most health insurance will supply up to 8 over-the-counter COVID-19 tests to each individual every month (free or reimbursed). When you register for the Ale, you will be asked how many COVID tests you can bring with you.

Testing on arrival

    • Air Travelers will be tested at the airport before boarding the shuttle. If they are tested positive they will not be allowed to board the shuttle to the Ale. This is for the safety of the shuttle driver and to minimize expenses for the traveler.
    • If a person receives a positive COVID-19 test result when arriving at registration, that person will not be permitted to enter the Ale site, nor will their travel companions.
    • We will not be able to provide housing for someone who receives a positive test result, nor to their travel companions.
    • We will not be able to offer a refund to participants who test positive, or to people who traveled to the Ale with them in the same vehicle.

Testing during the Ale

    • Each attendee will take a second rapid antigen test on Saturday between 4 pm and 6 pm.
    • Test results will be reported to the registration desk.
    • If a person receives a positive test result at this time, the Midwest Morris Ale will initiate protocols for a positive test, including isolation if appropriate and a contact tracing interview.

People who receive a positive test result while at the Ale will talk with the Covid Czar or Covid Liaison about their plans for departing the Ale, [gaining funding assistance to do so if needed], additional masking requirements, and contact tracing questions. The organizing teams will work with the camp to set aside some rooms for people who need to stay in isolation until they depart the camp.

Please see the full COVID-19 policy for additional information regarding attendance, refunds, and other safety measures and requirements.

Before the Ale begins we encourage people to:

  • Minimize their exposure starting 1 week prior to the Ale. Monitor COVID risk in your area, be mindful of masking in crowded areas, etc.
  • Get COVID-tested before traveling to the Ale
  • Minimize your exposure risk while traveling to the Ale

Refunds

The full COVID-19 policy outlines details about our refund policy for cancellations before and after the registration deadline.