Safety Policy and Protocols

Safety for Attendees and Stakeholders

Safety is our first priority for everyone attending and participating in the ENDO 2022 Annual Meeting (“Annual Meeting”). While the Endocrine Society (“Society”) is continually monitoring the evolving landscape, it is important and an appropriate time to remind ourselves of the risks incident to participating in the ENDO 2022 Annual Meeting. Even with every reasonable precaution to keep you safe as outlined by health authorities, the Society cannot fully eliminate all risks of harm to attendees or participants and guarantee their safety, especially from risks posed by COVID-19 and its variant strains. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety.

IMPORTANT – As conditions relative to COVID-19 and related government or health department safety requirements change, this Safety Policy and Protocols may change from time-to-time and the Society reserves its right to make such changes prior to or during the Annual Meeting.

At this time, the Society is requiring that all in-person attendees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. In addition, fully vaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear properly positioned masks when in Society-designated indoor areas as this is the most effective protection from COVID-19 and its variant strains. The CDC currently ranks Fulton County, Georgia as a medium-risk area. The Society's safety policy follows CDC recommendations and should those recommendations change, this policy may be updated to provide appropriate safety measures for all who attend or participate in-person at the Annual Meeting.

Continuing to Review Ongoing Conditions in Atlanta, GA (and Worldwide)

The Society remains committed to continually monitor and evaluate in the weeks leading up to the Annual Meeting. If there are any subsequent changes in Atlanta that could compromise the safety of our attendees, participants, staff, or the public, it may become necessary to convert to a completely virtual program.

Safety Protocols and Useful Links

The Society is following safety protocols as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH). In addition, for timely updates and information in Atlanta, GA, please access these useful links.

• Information on health and safety procedures for events hosted in Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA https://www.gwcca.org/returnplan.
• Timely updates and information on health and safety procedures when traveling to and while in Atlanta, GA https://discoveratlanta.com/coronavirus/.

The Society encourages attendees and participants to visit their hotel’s website or connect with their hotel representative for the most up-to-date health and safety information required by those individual hotels.

Safety Precautions

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

All in-person attendees and participants must provide proof of vaccination at the time of entry to participate in the in-person Annual Meeting and associated Society events. In-person attendees and participants must comply with the specific COVID-19 terms and conditions while at the Annual Meeting. Prior to arriving onsite, the Society will require proof that attendees are fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Society is using a third-party vendor to verify vaccination status. The Society will be using Clear for vaccine verification and further details will be provided in online registration. The Society will continue to update its website with more detailed information about qualifying vaccines and instructions on how to digitally upload vaccination documentation for verification as it becomes available.

On site, you must be able to present proof that you are fully vaccinated using your Clear Health Pass and selecting the Annual Meeting. Fully vaccinated means that you have had two doses (except where only one is required by the manufacturer) of a WHO- or FDA-approved vaccine at least two weeks before the Annual Meeting starts i.e., by June 11, 2022.

For non-U.S. attendees, please refer to vaccines approved by WHO
https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/agency/who/. As of 15 November 2021, WHO has evaluated that the
following vaccines against COVID-19 have met the necessary criteria for safety and efficacy:

• AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine
• Johnson and Johnson
• Moderna
• Pfizer/BioNTech
• Sinopharm
• Sinovac
• COVAXIN

Read WHO’s Q&A on the Emergency Use Listing process to find out more about how WHO assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently defines “fully vaccinated” as:

• Two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm, Sinovac, and COVAXIN vaccines; or
• Two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine, such as the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine

If the CDC’s definition of “fully vaccinated” is revised, we will adjust our policy to reflect the most current public health and safety guidelines. As of December 14, 2021, administration of an additional primary dose or a booster dose is not required to be considered fully vaccinated for public health purposes at this time. People who have a contraindication to vaccination or who otherwise do not complete a primary vaccination series are not considered fully vaccinated. People who have received an additional primary dose or a booster dose should continue to follow guidance for fully vaccinated persons at this time to minimize spread of SARS-CoV-2 to others.

Arrival On-site

When you arrive on site, you must certify you are not sick and that you do not have any signs or
symptoms of COVID-19 or its variant strains. You will not be allowed to enter the Annual Meeting if you
are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or its variant strains that include:

• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

If you experience any of these symptoms, you will immediately isolate yourself by leaving the Annual Meeting and notifying Society staff if you, or someone you have been in close contact with, is exposed to COVID-19, exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or receives a positive COVID-19 test result. You expressly agree to comply fully with appropriate COVID-19 health and safety measures and protocols for attendance at the Annual Meeting at all times. The Society reserves the right to remove any attendee or participant from the Annual Meeting for failure to adhere to the required COVID-19 health and safety measures and protocols.

While in attendance at the Annual Meeting, you will make every effort to maintain CDC-recommended hygiene procedures at all times, including following the guidelines of frequent hand washing (or a suitable sanitizing alternative), avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth in public places, and covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.

Unvaccinated Individuals

It is strongly inadvisable for unvaccinated individuals to travel to or seek to attend the Annual Meeting. For these individuals and those unable to attend the in-person program because they cannot receive the vaccine, the Society is offering Virtual Experience Standard and Premium options.

If an individual who is unvaccinated arrives on site, they will be denied entry and unable to attend the in-person Annual Meeting. Accommodations will not be granted onsite. No exceptions. Their registration will be converted to the Virtual Experience Standard or Premium option and the difference will be refunded.

Protective Masks

The wearing of protective masks is encouraged for all attendees, participants, sponsors, exhibitors and convention center workers. When worn, masks should cover both mouth and nose.

Fraudulent Vaccination Information

All in-person registrants for the Annual Meeting agree to provide proof of vaccination prior to their arrival at the Annual Meeting or any ancillary Society-sponsored meetings or events held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. Individuals will be held responsible for providing any false, misleading or inaccurate vaccination information.

On Site Quarantine Support and Travel Resources

The Society will offer a complimentary Quarantine Support Concierge service to assist any attendees or participants who must quarantine while attending the meeting in Atlanta. Support will include:

• Daily wellness phone calls to check on the individual.
• Coordination with the hotel for the contactless delivery of water, food, beverages, and housekeeping supplies, since housekeeping service will cease.
• Coordination of contactless delivery of other items needed from non-hotel sources (i.e., pharmacy or grocery stores).

Note that additional expenses (e.g., hotel extension, flight change, food and beverage) related to quarantine are incurred by and the sole responsibility of the attendee(s) or participant(s), not the Society.

Contact Tracing

The Society is required to alert the local health department if we have three (3) or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 at ENDO 2022. If that occurs, a public health case manager is typically assigned to assist with the outbreak and see what can be done to stop the spread moving forward. Thereafter, contact tracers within the health department will reach out to any individuals who test positive for COVID-19.

IMPORTANT: All attendees and participants will be required to provide a working phone number to the Society at the time of registration in case the Society is notified by any government or local health department that contact tracing is required.

Cleaning and Sanitation

The Georgia World Congress Center (“GWCC”) has earned the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s® GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation, which defines international standards for sanitation, disinfection, and hygiene. They are using cutting-edge cleaning techniques to prevent infection.

GWCC prioritizes the disinfecting and cleaning of common touchpoint areas, including door handles, escalator handrails, comfort stations, and food service areas. Additional alcohol-based hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the facility.

The use of electrostatic sprayers is part of the standard overnight cleaning regimen inside meeting rooms, ballrooms, and auditoriums. Electrostatic sprayers contain positively charged particles that aggressively adhere to surfaces and, thus, are effective in disinfecting the entire room including chairs, tables, and other surfaces. Electrostatic disinfection reduces the amount of time it takes to completely disinfect surfaces by up to 50 percent as compared to traditional cleaning techniques. The products used are not harmful to humans.

Air Handling and Circulation

Air handling and circulation is continually monitored by GWCC HVAC technicians to ensure optimum and safe airflow. Return air/ exhaust air is stand alone in the exhibit halls. This means air from the exhibit halls would not impact any other portions of the facility. Each of GWCC’s buildings are being upgraded to MERV 13 filters, which can trap smaller particles, including viruses, and can improve the system's efficacy in removing viruses from circulated air.

Enhanced Communication

Gentle reminders on required physical distancing and hygiene guidelines in the form of signage will be near elevators, escalators, high-traffic common areas, food stands, restrooms, and additional areas to help reinforce protocols and guidelines. Information will also be provided on social channels, interior monitors throughout the facility, and outdoor digital billboards.

Physical Distancing

We are reducing contact points, where possible, to create extra space, avoid crowding, and improve traffic flow. Seating in the session rooms will have socially distanced seating arrangements. Signage throughout the center will remind everyone to honor other physical distancing requirements. Given the evolving landscape of the pandemic, the Society is evaluating the needs on an ongoing basis. Specific information will be provided closer to the Annual Meeting by May 10, 2022.

Personal Contact

Handshaking, hugging or other unnecessary person-to-person contact will be discouraged between all attendees and participants.

Eating and Drinking

Food and drink may only be consumed while stationary. There will be designated areas for eating with adequate seating. In addition, you may bring your coffee or drink to a session room and drink it once seated.

Signage Compliance

Attendees and participants must adhere to the requirements of any such signage at all times while attending the Annual Meeting. Failure to do so could result in the denial of entry or removal from the Annual Meeting or any external venue supporting a Society event altogether.

First Aid

The GWCC provides a first aid area that is available for those who need immediate medical attention.

Non-U.S. Attendees

Non-U.S. attendees should always check current travel restrictions to the U.S. on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, before planning your travel, to make sure you will be able to enter the U.S. In addition, please monitor local regulations at home to ensure that you will be able to return from the U.S.

QUESTIONS?

For registration information, please call 774-247-4000, Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EDT.
Fax: 508-743-9684;
Email: ENDO@xpressreg.net

Event Information

June 11-14, 2022
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, GA

Important Dates

June 19, 2022

• Standard non-member registrant access to the virtual platform concludes

June 30, 2022

• Standard member registrant access to the virtual platform concludes

August 14, 2022

• Standard registration credit claim expiration deadline

December 31, 2022

• Premium member and non-member access to the virtual platform concludes
• Premium registration credit claim expiration deadline