COVID-19 Health and Safety

COVID-19 has significantly altered and continues to alter the risk landscape all over the world. From the beginning of the pandemic, the U.S. Department of State and World Learning have adapted their approach to monitoring and managing risk to meet the dynamic challenges that have emerged. This approach has meant looking beyond traditional risk indicators and factoring into our risk mitigation protocols new developments such as the vaccine and updated guidance from the scientific and health community. For the Alumni TIES seminar in Minneapolis, the Office of Alumni Affairs and World Learning will continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases, percent positivity rate, and vaccination rates in Hennepin County.

Fully vaccinated people are less likely to be infected and less likely to spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State and World Learning recommend that all participants be fully vaccinated by February 1, 2022. Some locations (as they are private businesses) visited during the seminar may require proof of vaccination or a negative PCR or antigen test. Restaurants in Minneapolis may require that you show proof of vaccination, a photo of your vaccination card on your cellphone is permitted. Proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken by a medical professional within the past 72 hours is accepted in lieu of the vaccination card. Requirements may change as cases decline in the city. For more information, please visit https://www.minneapolis.org/covid-19-health-safety/.

If participants are unvaccinated or unwilling to share their status, they will be required to take a PCR test within 72 hours before traveling to the seminar. If a participant’s health insurance does not cover the test and/or charges a fee, World Learning will reimburse the participant for that expense. World Learning will also provide all participants (regardless of vaccination status) with two COVID-19 rapid response antigen tests to self-administer upon arrival at the hotel and departure. World Learning will continue to monitor the pandemic situation and will reassess our procedures should federal regulations change or should Minnesota or Minneapolis impose stricter requirements.

In accordance with the participation guidelines, World Learning and the U.S. Department of State request that participants, speakers, and staff wear a mask that securely covers their nose and mouth while taking part in any indoor seminar activities. Presenters are not required to wear face masks when presenting. However, when we are in close proximity to one another, sitting at the tables with one another and networking, we request that participants wear face masks. World Learning will provide disposable masks to each participant upon check-in. World Learning staff will also have extra masks in case a participant forgets to bring a mask to an activity or session. World Learning will provide hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol to each participant. For additional mask guidance, please review the CDC mask guidelines at https://bit.ly/GuidanceforMasks.

All participants will be required to socially distance when possible while taking part in indoor seminar activities and outdoor activities. We strongly encourage participants to meet people outside wherever possible. World Learning staff will review the COVID-19 symptoms and safety precautions during check-in. Participants are asked to monitor their health for any symptoms that could indicate possible contraction of COVID-19 or other illnesses. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms, which may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, include the following: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty with breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms. For more information on COVID-19 symptoms, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

If a participant tests positive for COVID-19 prior to their arrival for the seminar, they must notify World Learning staff immediately and will be unable to take part in the seminar until testing negative for COVID-19. If a participant is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough, loss of taste and smell, and difficulty breathing) or tests positive for COVID-19 during the seminar, the participant must self-isolate in their room in accordance with CDC guidelines and notify World Learning staff immediately. World Learning staff will then contact a local physician for additional observation. If multiple participants test positive, World Learning and the Office of Alumni Affairs may then change the seminar format from in-person to virtual.

For further information, please consult the Pre-Departure Orientation Manual and the U.S. Alumni TIES Acknowledgement of Risk Agreement.