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HEALTH & SAFETY AT ISTH 2022

Read below for the latest health and safety guidelines for the ISTH 2022 Congress:

Updated June 30, 2022

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NEW: Click here to upload your vaccine verification before July 6.

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As of March 18, 2022 all COVID-19 related travel restrictions in the United Kingdom (UK) have been lifted.

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We continue to work closely with our partners in the UK - the Great Britain Convention Bureau and the London Convention Bureau, along with the ExCel London, as we plan our return to an in-person Congress in July.  The ExCel’s health and safety measures remain in place with ventilation that has been increased in line with latest CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) guidance and recommendations to include:

  • Fresh air supply has been improved by increasing the size and speed of fans, as well as the installation of new pipes.

  • There is a regular maintenance program in place, which ensures double the number of statutory checks are carried out. Filters are replaced regularly.

  • CO2 monitors have been installed in client-facing areas. These monitor air conditions and provide an indication of whether capacity should be reduced.  

 

Full health and safety measures at ExCel can be found here.

 

Our health and safety plan is designed to create the best congress experience possible.  We cannot wait to welcome you to the ISTH 2022 Congress in London.

 

See below for more details:

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

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  • COVID-19 status congress entry requirements: The ISTH will require attendees to provide proof of being fully vaccinated prior to distribution of their congress badge. You should have now received an email from the ISTH verification system to upload your information if you are pre-registered for the Congress. Please upload your vaccination record before July 6. Learn how to upload here.
     

  • Fully vaccinated is determined by the ISTH as at least 14 days post your second dose of a World Health Organization (WHO) authorized emergency use vaccine. We encourage booster vaccinations as per country policies. After you have registered, you will be contacted by our vaccine verification company to obtain your information.  WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to register in advance as this process may take some time on-site delaying your access to the congress. 
     

  • Have you completed a self-assessment? Are you symptom-free? If you have any symptoms, please stay at home. You can check your symptoms using this handy COVID-19 Self-Checker
     

  • Check your flight and travel arrangements: Ensure you’ve checked the requirements of your airline and the destinations from which you will be traveling.  Entry to the United Kingdom is currently open to all. More information can be found here.
     

  • Check your visa requirements: Citizens from countries with a visa requirement who travel to the United Kingdom should carefully check the requirement and apply with ample time. More information on Visas can be found here.
     

  • Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates

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ARRIVING AT THE ISTH 2022 CONGRESS

  • Please allow extra time for arrival on your first day (we advise 30 minutes), and carefully follow our signage.  The ExCel Center doors will be open as of 6:30. 
     

  • The ExCel Center is currently undergoing construction on the East end where the ISTH congress will take place so pay special attention to navigating the entry.   
     

  • Recheck your symptoms: Complete a daily self-assessment using this handy COVID-19 Self-Checker. If you have any symptoms, please do not come to the congress.

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AT THE CONGRESS

  • Follow all UK authority guidelines: Wash your hands often, use our sanitizer stations, cover your cough or sneeze, and do not enter the show if you have any symptoms. If you start to feel unwell while you’re at the show, please go to the First Aid office for assistance.
     

  • While masks are not mandated they are strongly encouraged in all session rooms and any other locations within ExCeL London where social distancing is not possible. The ISTH will have masks available for your convenience within the ExCel Center.
     

  • Ventilation: the ExCel Center is equipped with highly efficient ventilation that provides fresh air throughout the halls.
     

  • Constant monitoring: We will continually monitor health and safety measures throughout the congress, to ensure compliance and safety. 
     

  • COVID-19 testing:  Self-administered Antigen/Lateral Flow COVID19 test will be distributed at locations through-out the Congress. We encourage all attendees to self-test to ensure a negative result before attending the meeting. If you should test positive please follow all local health guidelines. 
     

  • “Fit to Fly” testing is not required for entrance into most countries. However, the ISTH is offering a discount code through Cignpost testing.  Please use the DISCOUNT CODE ISTH22 at any Cignpost testing facility for a discount. Sites can be found at Book Your Covid-19 Travel Test | ExpressTest

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU ACQUIRE COVID-19 DURING YOUR STAY

  • If you become positive for COVID-19 during your stay:
    We would be grateful if the UK advice to isolate for 5 days was followed. See here for details.
     

  • Do you need access to antiviral treatment for COVID-19?
    The National Health Service (HNS) is free to all British people and offers emergency treatment to non British people.

    NHS England offers early antiviral treatment to those who have the highest risk of becoming seriously unwell with COVID- 19. Please visit the relevant part of the NHS England website. It explains what treatments are available and how to obtain them. Essentially if you are British, and registered you can access assessment and treatment with a NHS General Practitioner. Non-British visitors need contact NHS 111 or via telephone. For details on NHS111 see here.

    Private General Practitioners cannot access the antivirals and so NHS111 is the only route for non-Brits. We have spoken to a private practice who are aware of ISTH2022 and will talk to those with COVID-19 by telephone if they need general advice. Click here. Any other issues please let the ISTH office know


NEED MORE INFORMATION?

  • Ask us: If you have any questions about our health and safety plans, or how you can best prepare, please contact meetings@isth.org
     

  • Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates
     

  • Speak to our staff at the ISTH Registration Counters
     

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