The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced that every individual who attends WEFTEC 2021 in Chicago, Illinois, will be required to provide either proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or results of a negative test for COVID-19 obtained no more than 48 hours before arrival at registration to pick up credentials.
According to the WEF press release, these new requirements also include Chicago’s indoor mask mandate, and these measures are being taken to protect the health of members and attendees of the show.
“This decision also follows the rapidly growing trend of requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test result at events such as conferences,” stated Walt Marlowe, WEF executive director, in the press release. “Many of the people who attend WEFTEC serve vital roles in protecting public health in their communities. They come to WEFTEC to connect with other experts, find solutions, learn best practices, and bring information home. This requirement for COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result provides an extra measure of assurance that we are doing all we can to protect everyone at WEFTEC and the communities to which participants return.”
This safety measure will occur through WEF’s partnership with Safe Expo, who will manage the verification process. According to the WEF press release, WEFTEC participants will be asked to upload images of health authority-issued vaccination records to a secured portal or bring proof of a negative COVID test to be verified on site.
Uploading proof of vaccination in advance of arriving at McCormick Place in Chicago is recommended. There is no exception to this rule, and no one will be allowed to pick up registration materials or participate in the event without vaccination verification or a negative test result.
WEF will follow COVID-19 guidelines from the U.S. CDC and requirements of state and local health authorities in place at the time of the convention. In addition to this, McCormick Place has enhanced its air quality and cleaning procedures, receiving multiple accreditations for maintaining a safe and hygienic environment.
