COVID-19 Warning
TACL remains committed to the safety and well-being of its members and invited guests at the 2022 TACL Winter Convention. As such and given the continued existence of COVID-19, TACL will observe the following COVID-19 safety protocol. In developing this safety protocol, TACL reviewed applicable requirements and guidelines, including those imposed or recommended by the CDC, the California government, the Host Hotel, as well as the Local TAP-LA Convention Planning team to ascertain current best public health practices. TACL will continue to draw on these sources leading up to our Convention and will update this COVID-19 safety protocol as the situation or prudence dictates. We will promptly promulgate any changes to the protocol.
All attendees must be Fully Vaccinated and provide COVID-19 vaccine validation before the start of Convention (Feb 18) through one of the below methods:
Uploading a photo of your vaccination card through the Convention registration form (Photo will be deleted immediately after verification by the Contention Team/TACL National Board. Photo will not be used for anything beyond verification of vaccination status.)
Scheduling a call with the Convention Team/TACL National Board to show proof of vaccination
Please note, proof of vaccination is required to attend Convention. A negative COVID test will not be accepted.
If you have had close or proximate contact with a COVID-infected individual or you or anyone around you is feeling ill or experiencing cold- or flu-like symptoms during the two weeks leading up to the Convention please DO NOT travel to or attend the Convention.
Per local requirements, you must wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
All Convention attendees will be required to acknowledge and agree to the TACL COVID-19 Certification, Acknowledgement and Liability Waiver.
Additional Safeguards
TACL will work with the Hotel staff before and during our Convention to ensure certain additional measures are taken to enhance the safety of Convention attendees and invited guests, including ensuring that:
Hand sanitizing stations are available and properly positioned.
Temperature screenings take place at Convention check-in and before every entry into the main Convention hall.
Extra masks are readily available for attendees and invited guests.
Surfaces in convening areas are treated with disinfectants with regular frequency.
Lobby signage reminds other hotel guests to maintain social distancing protocols; some furniture is removed or re-arranged to allow more space for distancing.
Food inspections using prescribed food safety standards are conducted and validated.
COVID-19 Certification, Acknowledgement, and Liability Waiver
COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact. By participating in any in-person TACL event (“Event”) at the event location (“Premises”), you agree to the following:
You recognize that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present, and that COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that may cause severe illness and/or death. You recognize that TACL has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Even so, TACL cannot guarantee that participants in attendance at the Event will not be infected with COVID-19. Thus, you acknowledge that your participation in the Event is voluntary and you assume all risks and responsibility associated with attending the Event, including the risk of contracting COVID-19. You have chosen to participate and do so voluntarily and of your free will.
You will follow all national and local government guidance and all posted instructions related to COVID-19 precautions (including but not limited to, mask-wearing, handwashing, and social distancing) at the Premises for the entire duration of the Event. You understand that failure to abide by such guidance and instructions are grounds to be excluded from the Event by TACL, and that you agree in advance to leave the Event and the Premises, upon request by TACL (without protest or refund) due to your refusal to follow said protocols.
You certify that you will be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time of travel to the Event, and you consent to participate in the Event even though other individuals (other hotel guests, guest speakers, general population) on the Premises may not be fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” means two weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.
By attending the Event, you affirmatively represent that in the 14 days leading up to the Event, you have not: experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (including but not limited to cough, fever, and shortness of breath); encountered a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19; and, you have not been diagnosed with COVID-19. If any of the foregoing are true, you agree that you will not attend the Event.
As a condition of your participation in the Event, you expressly waive any rights against TACL, and release and hold harmless TACL and any of its officers, employees, directors, affiliates, contractors, agents, volunteers, subsidiaries, legal successors and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”) from and against any and all claims, suits, demands, losses, damages, expenses, or liability of whatever kind of nature under any theory of law or equity, which may arise during or as a result of your presence at the Premises and/or attendance at the Event, including but not limited to any such liability related to or arising out of illness, injury, or death associated with infection of COVID-19 and/or any complications, symptoms, or other consequences from contracting COVID-19. You agree to defend, indemnity, and hold TACL and the other Releasees harmless against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs or expenses of any kind, including attorney’s fees and other fees and/or costs associated with enforcing any right to indemnification pursuant hereto, arising out of or relating in any way from any claim by any person or entity related to the Event and/or your presence on the Premises with respect to the Event.
YOU EXPRESSLY STATE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND, AND IT IS YOUR EXPRESS INTENT TO RELEASE, WAIVE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE RELEASEES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE EVENT (EVEN IF SUCH LIABILITY RESULTS FROM OR IS CAUSED BY THE SOLE OR CONTRIBUTORY OR ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF THE RELEASEES OR ANY THIRD PARTY), INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIMS THAT YOU, YOUR HEIRS, YOUR ASSIGNEES, YOUR NEXT OF KIN AND/OR LEGALLY APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES, MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREINAFTER ACCRUE ON YOUR BEHALF.
YOU ALSO UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT TACL DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL OR OTHER ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEDICAL, HEALTH, OR DISABILITY ASSISTANCE IN THE EVENT OF INJURY OR ILLNESS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED TO THE EVENT. IF YOU AND/OR ANYONE RELATED TO YOU IS INJURED, BECOMES ILL, OR SUFFERS COMPLICATIONS DUE TO COVID-19, ALLEGEDLY AS A RESULT OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT, YOU AGREE TO RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS, AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES IN THE SAME MANNER AND TO THE SAME EXTENT AS SET FORTH ABOVE.
Additional COVID Requirements for TACL Winter Convention
TACL and TAP-LA are implementing the below protocols and procedures to help ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time at the 2022 TACL Winter Convention. If there are any questions about any of the below conditions, please reach out to the TAP-LA Convention Team at info@tap-la.org.
Vaccine Requirements
All attendees (including the TAP-LA Convention Team) of the 2022 TACL Winter Convention must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine by February 3, 2022, and provide acceptable proof at check-in, which can include original physical vaccine card or an approved digital vaccine record.
Boosters are highly recommended for those eligible.
Pre-Arrival Testing
PCR testing will be required for all attendees. All attendees must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at the earliest on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, or after.
Proof of a negative PCR test result should be provided to the event check-in staff.
If an individual is unable to receive their PCR test result in time for their first convention event, the individual will need to provide proof of a negative antigen (rapid) test (at-home tests are acceptable) to the check-in staff, IN ADDITION to proof of pending PCR test results.
Individuals are encouraged to prepare and bring their own rapid test kits, but a limited number of antigen test kits will be available for an additional fee from the TAP-LA Convention Team.
Those self-administering the antigen rapid test must do so no earlier than 2 hours before attending their first event. If the pending PCR test later shows a positive COVID-19 infection, please alert the TAP-LA Convention team ASAP at info@tap-la.org. Please make the email subject: URGENT - Positive Test.
If an individual contracted COVID-19 between November 20, 2021 and February 8, 2022, has followed CDC quarantine and recovery requirements, is asymptomatic by February 13, 2022, but is unable to provide a negative PCR test result, a negative antigen test will be acceptable for entry into convention events.
Random Testing Prior to First Event
In addition to the above protocols, random testing will also be conducted prior to the TAPpy Hour event on Friday, February 18, 2022. TACL and the TAP-LA Convention Team will communicate prior to the event how and whom will be tested upon arrival in L.A., and antigen tests will be provided by TACL.
Proof of a negative test result should be recorded with a selfie clearly showing the original test result (photo will just need to be shown at check-in and not sent anywhere). Tests should be disposed of safely.
Positive COVID-19 Test Results
If any individual tests positive for COVID-19, either through the pre-arrival PCR test or through on-site random testing, they will not be allowed to attend any convention events. Contact tracing will then begin with testing of the individual’s close contacts (i.e., travel party and roommates) via a rapid antigen test (provided by TACL at no cost), and anyone who tests positive will also not be allowed to attend any convention events.
If an attendee tests positive for COVID-19, we recommend the individual secure separate accommodations to isolate and recover per CDC guidelines. Individuals are responsible for any additional costs incurred, but assistance can be provided in finding accommodations.
If the individual is NOT able to secure separate accommodations and continues to share accommodations with other convention attendees, for the safety of other attendees, all who are sharing the same accommodation will not be allowed to attend convention events.
Mask Requirements
Masks will be required for all individuals attending the convention as per the LA County Health Mandate. TACL and TAP-LA are requiring that all individuals wear KN-95/N95-equivalent masks during the entirety of the convention, ensuring proper coverage of both the nose and the mouth when indoors. Masks may be briefly removed for eating, drinking, and taking oral medications, but please refrain from prolonged periods of mask removal. Masks may be removed outdoors when physical distancing is possible.
Masks will be provided if needed, but individuals are encouraged to bring their own.
TACL and TAP-LA are committed to the health and safety of all attendees, staff, and speakers. If at any time any individual starts to feel unwell (i.e., sore throat, coughing, fever, chills, headache, etc.), please contact the TAP-LA Convention Team ASAP.
Contact Information
If there are any questions, please contact TAP-LA at info@tap-la.org.