Regeneron ISEF 2023 COVID-19 Policy

Regeneron ISEF 2023 attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Regeneron ISEF 2023 attendees may request a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Details about our vaccination policy and exemptions can be found below.  Implementation of these mitigation measures is critical to maintaining safe operations of events, regardless of the current level of COVID-19 community transmission. 

COVID-19 Vaccination

  • All attendees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend Regeneron ISEF 2023. Vaccines must be FDA approved/authorized or on the World Health Organization Emergency Use List approved, and the last dose in the series must have been received no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of Regeneron ISEF. Boosters are recommended, but not required.
  • Attendees will be required to verify their vaccination status prior to arrival and onsite when requested.

Exemption Requests

  • Attendees of Regeneron ISEF 2023 may request a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. To request an exemption, please fill out the Exemption Request Form. Full instructions on how to request an exemption can be found on the form. Exemption requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and reviews will begin after the conclusion of Regeneron STS Finals Week on March 15.

Masking

  • Masking at Regeneron ISEF 2023 is optional but highly recommended. All attendees should respect the choice of other attendees to wear or not wear a mask.

Regeneron ISEF 2023 Safety Protocols

  • Attendees must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival and each morning before leaving their hotel rooms.
    • Symptoms of COVID-19 include: Fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, abdominal pain or stomachache, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
    • Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent pain or chest pressure, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, and pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds.
  • Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status), must take a test, either on their own or at the Safe Expo testing center (located in Hall B), and must quarantine until a result is returned. If the individual tests positive, they must not attend any Regeneron ISEF events. Any costs incurred as the result of a positive COVID-19 test including flight changes, extended accommodations, and testing are the responsibility of the fair and/or individual.
  • It is highly recommended that all attendees administer an at-home rapid COVID-19 test prior to traveling to Regeneron ISEF. It is also recommended that attendees wear a mask while traveling to and from Regeneron ISEF to help protect other attendees of Regeneron ISEF and those at home you will be returning to at the end of the week.

Healthy Practices

To limit potential spread of viruses, it is recommended all attendees follow these common practices:

  • Hand washing:
    • Attendees should perform frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. (Please note that hand sanitizer may not be as effective on dirty or greasy hands, and washing with soap and water is always better than hand sanitizer.)
    • Avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
    • Please wash your hands at the following key moments:
      • Before eating food
      • After using the toilet
      • Before and after putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings or masks
      • Before touching your face
      • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
      • After touching someone else’s belongings
      • Before and after group activities
      • After touching a door or doorknob
  • Avoid touching your faces, eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.
  • Coughs and sneezes: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or your shirt.
  • Masks:
    • To be effective, masks must be worn correctly. Masks should consist of 2-3 layers of tightly woven fabric, completely cover the nose and mouth, and fit snugly against the sides of the face.
    • Any attendee who wishes to wear a mask at any time may do so.
    • Handle face masks by the ear loops, not the face part of the mask itself.
  • Social Distancing:
    • Attendees should maintain 6 feet of distance between them whenever possible.
    • Attendees are encouraged not to shake hands or hug. Instead, the Society recommends using a distanced elbow bump as appropriate.