Charmed! COVID Mask Policy for In-Person Convention

At Charmed, we really want to host the safest event we can in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants. Given that, the ConCom will still be requiring masks of our attendees, staffers and volunteers in con space at Charmed!2024.

Please bring your own masks to the event as we may or may not have disposable ones available (ConCom will always attempt to support the needs of our convention goers, so we will announce if we have extras available during the in-person convention.)

In addition, we will be setting up the dungeon equipment and classroom seating both with 6 feet of distance between and provide hand sanitizer stations around the con.

Our Dungeon monitors will be asked to be even more proactive than usual about reminding people to clean their equipment, so just remember that it takes only a short period to do it and if you need help please ask.

COVID Vaccine Policy for In-Person Convention

Charmed!2024 Covid-19 Policy

The newest covid-19 vaccine update has been evaluated and released for use in the United States to people aged 5 years and older for Fall 2023. People can get the vaccination if it has been at least 2 months since their last vaccination for Covid-19. This monovalent, single shot vaccine replaces the bivalent vaccine, which is no longer authorized for use. People who have not previously been vaccinated for Covid-19 are considered “up to date” with their vaccinations after receiving this single dose.

This vaccine update is free under most insurance plans in the United States (including Medicaid and Medicare), and will be offered for free in the United States through December 31, 2024 through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program for people who do not have insurance. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html

People who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 may wait 3 months before getting the updated vaccine.

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY: Previously, people who received the initial Covid-19 vaccination schedule of 1 primary shot and 2 boosters were considered “fully vaccinated”, however, if they did not received the subsequent bivalent which has been offered in the United States from September, 2022 then they were not considered “up to date”. “Up to date” replaces “fully-vaccinated” as the terminology for desired vaccination status. A person who is “up to date” with their vaccinations beginning September, 2023 is a person who has received the latest updated vaccine, released in September, 2023. This vaccine is now officially the only option available in the United States. Vaccinations typically take two weeks to reach full efficacy; therefore for the purposes of Charmed!2024 vaccinations will be considered valid if they are received by or before December 27, 2023.

In-person attendees of Charmed!2024 will be required to show proof of “up to date” vaccination received in good time – that is, they must show proof that they have received the Fall 2023 vaccine update by or before December 27, 2023. Proof may be in the form of one of the following: official paper vaccine card, electronic vaccine card, photocopy or digital representation of official vaccine card, website listing your name/vaccination date, dated email for an applicable vaccination appointment, a photograph of some part of the vaccination process (eg. the vial of serum), or other applicable media. If you are unsure that your form of proof will be valid, please contact us before arriving at the event. Proof of vaccination will be verified at badge pick-up.

You can contact us using one of the following ways:

Email us at: Covid@Charmedhypno.org

Contact us through Charmed! social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharmedHypno

Fetlife: https://fetlife.com/groups/121240?sp=1

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/charmedhypno

Bluesky: https://charmedhypnocon.bsky.social/

Discord: DM @Noelle_8033

People who are unable to get the updated Covid-19 vaccine for a three month period ending with the final day of Charmed!2024 (January 14th, 2024) due to a previous Covid-19 infection will be considered “up to date” for the purposes of in-person attendance.

IMPORTANT: if you have a Covid-19 infection that results in you being able to get the updated vaccine within the two week time period before Charmed!2024 begins – that is, December 28th through January 10th – you will not be considered “up to date” with your vaccination and will be ineligible to attend Charmed!2024 in person.

PLEASE NOTE: the three month waiting period is a CDC recommendation and it may be possible for people to get the updated vaccine within that time period.

PLEASE SEE THE ADDENDUM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS DOCUMENT WHICH COVERS ATTENDEES WHO RESIDE IN COUNTRIES WHERE UPDATED VACCINES ARE NOT AVAILABLE OR ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
In-person attendees at Charmed!2024 will be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of badge pick-up, (over the counter test is okay), in picture form in order to pick up their badge.

Attendees traveling from overseas must show proof of a negative test taken within 120 hours of badge pick-up.

Attendees from Canada are not considered overseas attendees.

Attendees can, if they desire, take a test at badge pick-up, however; we would prefer that you do it beforehand and just show a picture of your negative test result.

In-person attendees at Charmed!2024 will be required to wear well-fitting, high quality masks, such as N95s or KN94s at all times while in official convention space. This includes both the private convention area as well as the semi-public registration area. Examples of unacceptable masks include: bandanas, gaiters, and scarfs. Presenters and demo-bottoms may choose to remain unmasked only while actively presenting. There are no exceptions for evening social events and dungeon play. A small number of masks may be available via Convention Operations for people who need them; however, we cannot guarantee this so please do your best to procure your own.

In 2023, we did not require that attendees test daily. However, as in 2023, we are highly recommending that people test daily before entering convention space. Over the counter tests are excellent at detecting a viral load in someone who is contagious, and are currently the best way for people to determine if they need to isolate themselves. Convention Operations may have a small number of tests available for people who need them; please do not count on this and do your best to procure your own.

Charmed!2024 is committed to providing as safe an environment as possible for our attendees. This may mean that our vaccination/mask requirements are stronger/stricter than those of other events or organizations. We understand that this can be frustrating, and we appreciate your adherence to these policies that are for the benefit of every attendee at Charmed!2024.

Addendum to the Charmed!2024 Covid-19 Policy

We are aware that as the world moves away from treating Covid-19 as a major health threat that some countries outside of the United States no longer offer Covid-19 vaccine updates to their general populace.

Overseas/non-U.S. residents make up a tiny percentage of our attendees. With this in mind, we have added a section covering their situation to our official 2024 Covid-19 policy.

Residents of countries that do not offer updated Covid-19 vaccines to the general population may be considered exempt from the requirement to be up to date by United States standards as long as they have received and can show confirmation that they received the primary course of vaccinations; that is, the original shot plus the two follow up shots.

We ask that people in non-U.S. countries who are eligible to receive updated vaccines continue to do so.

Attendees who are offered exemptions to the 2024 Covid-19 policy will be required to test daily while in attendance in person at Charmed!2024 and to send verification of their negative test result to a member of Concom before they are allowed entrance into official con space.

Failure to follow this policy may result in that person’s badge being pulled and them no longer being able to attend Charmed!2024 in person.

We will continue to assess the status of attendees with possible medical exemptions on a case by case basis.

If you are affected by this policy, please contact us as soon as you can via email at Covid@charmedhypno.org or dm Noelle_8033 on Discord.