Onsite safety requirements at West/Central CME 2022

 

Update February 10, 2022:  Recent announcements regarding the easing of restrictions in Alberta will not affect the SOGC's policy indicated below.

Your health and safety remain top of mind as we prepare to gather this March in Banff, Alberta for the West/Central CME. While recognizing the significant challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SOGC will be guided by the science and informed by current health policy as we identify the most effective ways to meet our educational mission. As frontline representatives in the fight against COVID-19, the SOGC and our members must go above and beyond to reduce the risk of spreading to those who are vulnerable.

The SOGC leadership team has made the following critical decisions to support safely and responsibly convening the 2022 West/Central CME:

  1. COVID-19 vaccination will be required of participants, guests, SOGC staff and exhibitors on site at the West/Central CME at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, Alberta. We will ask you to provide proof of vaccination and identification at the registration desk to confirm that you are fully vaccinated (individuals are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after completing the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose vaccine). A wristband will be provided for you to wear during the conference to assist the SOGC onsite staff.If you are not vaccinated you will not be allowed to participate onsite at the West/Central CME 2022 but are invited to participate in the virtual option.

  2. Masks will be required at the West/Central CME 2022. Currently, following guidance and requirements set forth by Province of Alberta, masking inside public meeting spaces is required, regardless of vaccination status. The SOGC has decided that masks will be required for all participants, guests, SOGC staff and exhibitors at the West/Central CME 2022 even in the event the current mask requirement is lifted by the Province of Alberta. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the registration desk.
    Note: The Rimrock Resort Hotel follows the regulations of the Province of Alberta with regards to masking. Hotel staff may or may not be masked depending on the regulation in effect at the time of the event.

  3. All in-person participants will be required to acknowledge these requirements during the registration process.

  4. If you feel uncomfortable travelling to Banff to participate in-person you are welcome to participate virtually. All plenary sessions will be live-streamed and recorded. Recordings will be made available approximately one week after the live event dates.

The SOGC respectfully requests that all participants:

  • Please stay home if feeling feverish or coughing prior to the conference
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, washing or hand sanitizing afterward
  • Disinfect personal items such as cell phones and laptops
  • If onsite and you become feverish or coughing, please stay in your room and notify the SOGC Education Team at 613-462-2698 to report illness – The SOGC Education Team will provide assistance, if required, to seek medical attention to obtain a COVID-19 test. Please quarantine in your room until a negative test result is obtained.

Rimrock Resort Hotel

The Rimrock Hotel’s COVID-19 safety procedures can be found on their Commitment to Cleanliness & Hygiene webpage. As the situation evolves, these procedures are subject to change.

Please note: The Rimrock Hotel follows the regulations provided by the Government of Alberta. If a mask mandate exists at the time of the conference, all hotel staff will be required to wear a mask. However, if this mask mandate is updated or removed, the hotel will act accordingly. 

Both in-person and virtually – we look forward to your participation in our first in-person CME event in two years!