USY is an amazing community, and we rise to our best when we function as a community rather than as individuals. We are all responsible for one another. It is this basic Jewish value that we call on each of you to be vigilant in complying with all the convention policies and rules to keep everyone safe, healthy and create a wonderful experience.
Please note that all participants must be fully vaccinated in order to attend convention. That means the two dose series of your COVID-19 vaccine must be completed two weeks prior to the start of convention.
For more information on how to prepare for and most enjoy this year’s convention, please read the information and FAQs below.
A healthy and safe convention begins at home before you travel to convention. USY’ers should try to limit exposure to others as much as possible in the 14 days prior to convention. We understand you will be attending school, but keeping your mask on, and maintaining social distancing will help lessen the risk that you get infected prior to convention. Avoiding parties and large gatherings, especially if indoor and with unmasked people will help keep you well so you can come and enjoy convention.
All participants will be required to provide an emergency contact who will be available throughout the convention dates to pick you up within 24 hours should you become ill or have a positive test.
You will be required to get a COVID-19 PCR test done no earlier than 72 hours prior to convention. By doing so, you may avoid the inconvenience of showing up at convention, testing positive on the day of arrival and having to be isolated and sent home or to other prearranged locations.
USY’ers who are considered high risk for COVID-19 or live with family members who are high risk, should consult their personal physician and either elect not to attend IC this year, or be prepared to take additional steps to mitigate that risk, before, during and after IC. This would include quarantining after returning home and getting tested 3-5 days after return.
The safest way to travel to convention is to have a family member drive you in a private vehicle to the convention hotel. If that is not possible and public transportation is required, be sure to always minimize exposure during travel by masking and physically distancing. Avoid eating in public places and stay away from persons who are not masked. Frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer is recommended.
We know it’s exciting to be with your friends, and to dance, and sing and shout. However, taking extra precautions this year will help you stay healthy. We recommend the following:
Get a decent amount of sleep each night.
Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Avoid sharing personal hygiene items, food and drinks.
Save your throat and your voice, try not to scream too loud.
Maintain safe distance from others.
Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently. There will be hand sanitizer available throughout convention, but we also recommend bringing your own.
We are contracting with an established testing company to administer a rapid antigen test on the day of arrival and again on day 2 of convention. Results of this type of test are usually confirmed within 15-30 minutes.
If your antigen test is NEGATIVE, you will be allowed to enter the convention program.
If you test POSITIVE by rapid antigen test, a rapid COVID-19 PCR test will be done. You will be sent to an isolation room to await the PCR test results.
If your COVID-19 PCR test is POSITIVE, you must be picked up by a pre-authorized adult within 24 hours. The sooner you are picked up the better, as you will be alone in a room until that time. We will provide food for you and check on you during that time.
In order to minimize transmission, personal contact will look different at conventions this year.
Hotel rooms are small, and thus having “visitors” from other convention attendees in your room is prohibited. ONLY the USYers assigned to that room may enter that room. There will be ample time to visit with friends in the pre-arranged convention spaces.
USYer’s may not roam around the hotel. You will need to always stay with the USY group and avoid contact with other people who may be at the hotel. This includes elevator usage.
Congregating in the convention space restrooms will not be allowed. Recommended occupancy numbers for the restrooms will be posted so attendees can easily determine if it is safe to enter or if they need to wait their turn to enter the restroom.
Rooms will be cleaned according to hotel policy.
It is recommend that everyone wash their hands upon arrival into their room.
If someone is not feeling well, they should contact the nearest USY staff member, go to the isolation area as directed by staff, and avoid congregating with others. Staff will notify the convention nurse. Do not go directly to the infirmary. You will be given instructions on where to go and how you will be evaluated.
Non-emergent evaluation of sick individuals will initially be done by the convention nurse, and if needed, further medical evaluation will be obtained by the local urgent care center.
If your roommate develops symptoms, have everyone in your hotel room wear masks until the sick person is put into isolation.
Congratulations! You have had the time of your life! However, you are not done quite yet. You should monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms, isolate and get tested right away if you develop symptoms. For those without symptoms, the CDC recommends that you get another COVID-19 test done 3-5 days after returning home.
If you have someone at high risk in your home (immune compromised, elderly, underlying health conditions, or unimmunized) you should quarantine from them until after you test negative.
If you need to request a medical exemption or have questions about any of the above, please email [email protected].