Your health and safety are important to us. MS&T and the Partner Associations (ACerS, AIST, and TMS), working in partnership with the MS&T21 venues, are complying with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and relevant state and local authorities in an effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for MS&T21 attendees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
However, COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease and it is not possible to eliminate the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present, and efforts to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 may not be sufficient to prevent spreading or contracting COVID-19.
Click here to view MS&T’s official COVID-19 statement and to read MS&T’s COVID-19 Release & Hold Harmless Agreement. All MS&T participants have to acknowledge and agree to the COVID-19 Release and Hold Harmless agreement.
MS&T asks you NOT to attend MS&T21 if any of the following apply:
- If you have received a positive COVID-19 test within 14 days of MS&T21.
- If you have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of MS&T21. COVID-19 symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.
- If you are subject to the “quarantine” or “isolation” guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as refined by the Franklin County Health Department, which allows a shortening of the quarantine period under specific circumstances.
PROTECTING OUR MS&T PARTICIPANTS
COVID-19 Resources for MS&T21
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
City of Columbus Public Health
Experience Columbus
Here is what the MS&T21 safety experience will look like:
- Reduced contact registration
- Socially distanced MS&T exhibit floor plan
- Hand sanitizer stations throughout the Greater Columbus Convention Center and MS&T hotel partner venues
- Socially distanced and reduced capacity in meeting rooms
- Multiple coffee station areas to encourage social distancing
- Health and safety signage throughout MS&T meeting venues
Proof of Vaccination at MS&T21:
MS&T does not require individuals to show proof of vaccination to register and attend MS&T21.
Mask Wearing at MS&T21:
On September 8, 2021, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced a mask order to require masks for all publicly accessible indoor spaces in Columbus, regardless of an individual's vaccination status. The mandate was included in an executive order signed by Mayor Andrew Ginther and went into effect on Friday, September 10, 2021.
MS&T and the Partner Associations (ACerS, AIST, and TMS), working in partnership with the MS&T21 venues, are complying with all Federal, State and Local mandates in an effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for MS&T21 attendees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
MS&T will require all individuals to wear face masks during MS&T21, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, at this time to comply with the new mask order declared by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther.
Social Distancing at MS&T21:
The MS&T planning teams are working together to build the MS&T program where social distancing is encouraged.
- Socially distanced MS&T exhibit floor plan design
- Socially distanced room set for large sessions such as the MS&T Plenary
- Individual society lounges are placed apart rather than in a line to give more space to members to spread out
- Multiple coffee break stations
MS&T encourages participants to maintain a safe distance from another.
Cleaning and Sanitization at MS&T21:
Each of MS&T’s partner venues Safety and Cleaning Protocols unique to their properties can be viewed below:
Greater Columbus Convention Center VenueShield®
Hilton CleanStay
Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment
Red Roof’s RediClean™ Enhanced Cleaning Protocols
Travel Clean + Safe® - Drury Hotels
GBAC STAR™ Accreditation:
The Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s (GBAC) STAR Accreditation is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation for facilities. Currently accredited in the city of Columbus:
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport
- Greater Columbus Convention Center
- Hyatt Regency Columbus
- Hilton Columbus Downtown (currently pursuing accreditation)
First Aid Room On-Site at MS&T21:
Greater Columbus Convention Center, Room A110
COVID-19 Local Columbus Testing Sites:
Learn More
For additional detail, please view our Essential Considerations for Safely Operating MS&T 2021 —Materials Science and Technology PDF.