COVID Control Plan

The Molecular Foundry User Meeting will implement all applicable Berkeley Lab guidelines to maintain a safe conference environment. 

Vaccination Declaration

  • All registrants who are badged staff and affiliates will be reminded of the Lab policy requiring upload of vaccination evidence to clinic.lbl.gov.
  • All registrants who are not badged staff and affiliates are required to complete the Visitor Certification of Vaccination form. 

Visitor Protocols

  • All visitors must follow current Berkeley Lab requirements for visitors to the site. A visitor is any person without a Berkeley Lab employee or affiliate badge.
  • Visitors are reminded to make sure to check for any covid symptoms each day before coming to the site, and to wear face coverings when riding the Berkeley Lab shuttle.

Masks

Masks are required indoors. While all participants will be expected to arrive at the Lab site with their own mask, we will provide back-up/replacement masks for anyone who may need one. 

  • Surgical masks will be available in high traffic areas including the registration table, and near the plenary session, poster session, and in each symposium room.
  • Conference participants should follow the Lab’s policy on appropriate types of face coverings. Acceptable mask types include surgical masks, N95 respirators, KN95 or KF94 masks, filtered cloth face masks, or double-masking. 
  • Masks may be removed outdoors, including the area covered by a shade tent.

Eating and Drinking

Food will be provided for conference participants.

  • Breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, coffee, and reception hors d’oeuvres will be provided for guests outside.
  • If the county stays in the CDC level High, we will not allow eating and drinking inside any conference space.
  • We will provide appropriate signage, communication, and friendly reminders, restricting the eating and drinking to the outside areas.
  • We will provide a shade tent with no walls for eating and drinking. Tables and chairs will be set up in a fashion to support physical spacing within the available area. 

Hand Sanitizer

We will provide hand sanitizer for attendees throughout the event. This includes:

  • Individual size hand sanitizer passed out at the registration table
  • Free-standing motion-activated hand sanitizer stations in high-traffic areas especially including near food, at the registration table, and near the plenary session and poster session
  • Bottles of hand sanitizer placed near the entrance to each conference room including breakout conference rooms for the themed symposia
  • A supply of refill materials including hand sanitizer and batteries to replenish the supplies as needed

Cleaning High-Touch Surfaces

Molecular Foundry conference organizers will wipe down high touch surfaces including door handles and food distribution areas frequently with sanitizing wipes or spray. 

Virtual Participation Option

The User Meeting has a virtual participation option for people who are unable to attend in person. We will use zoom for our plenary sessions, themed research symposia, Foundry tour, and career panel discussion. This virtual participation option is also available to people who become ill and are not able to attend the conference in person.

COVID Symptoms, Positive Tests, and Close Contacts

All conference participants are advised of the following requirements: 

  • LBNL personnel:
    • Perform the weekly Symptom Screener and check for symptoms daily.
    • Isolate and do not attend the event if you have symptoms or learned of a positive test. 
      • Call Health Services at 510-486-6266 for guidance.
      • Notify the meeting organizer(s) and be prepared to identify situations where you may have had close contact (<6 foot distance for more than 15 minutes in a 24 hour period) with others at the event.
    • If you had a close contact with someone who tested positive or has COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 510-486-6266 for guidance.
  • Personnel from other institutions or businesses:
    • Check symptoms as outlined in the instructions found on the Visitor Protocols (and on the Visitor Certification of Vaccination form).
    • Isolate and do not attend the event if you have symptoms or learned of a positive test. 
      • Contact your health care provider and/or employer for guidance.
      • Notify the meeting organizer(s) and be prepared to identify situations where you may have had close contact (<6 foot distance for more than 15 minutes in a 24 hour period) with others at the event.
    • If you had a close contact with someone who tested positive or has COVID symptoms, follow the requirements of your employer.
    • If additional guidance is needed, follow CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation.
  • Private individuals (not associated with an institution, DOE facility, business, or other government entity):
    • Check symptoms as outlined in the instructions found on the Visitor Protocols (and on the Visitor Certification of Vaccination form).
    • Isolate and do not attend the event if you have symptoms or learned of a positive test. 
      • Contact your health care provider for guidance.
      • Notify the meeting organizer(s) and be prepared to identify situations where you may have had close contact (<6 foot distance for more than 15 minutes in a 24 hour period) with others at the event.
    • If you had a close contact with someone who tested positive or has COVID symptoms, follow the guidance of your health care provider.
    • If additional guidance is needed, follow CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation.

If conference organizers receive a report from a participant that they have symptoms, tested positive, or had a close contact, we will have the participant follow the guidance above.

As soon as possible, we will contact Health Services at 510-486-6266 or at covidinfo@lbl.gov to report the details that we have and ask for guidance. 

Conference Communications

  • Molecular Foundry User Meeting requirements on masking, eating and drinking, vaccination declaration, and availability of the virtual participation option and hand sanitizer will be sent to conference registrants in two “Know Before You Go” emails.
  • A summary of the User Meeting COVID Control Plan will be made available through the User Meeting conference website.