Whilst there are no formal restrictions in place due to Covid-19, we will be taking a number of steps to minimise the impact of coronavirus at this year’s conference.
Facemasks
We will strongly encourage people attending the conference in person to wear facemasks in enclosed spaces when not eating or drinking. Facemasks will be supplied as part of the conference pack and will be available from the registration desk.
Speakers may remove their masks while presenting in order to facilitate clear communication – a gap will be maintained between the podium and the first row of seats to allow this and contact areas will be wiped down between speakers.
Please be considerate of your colleagues – not all physical health conditions are visible. Some delegates may be immunosuppressed and at higher risk from infections, while others may have a respiratory condition that prevents them from wearing a facemask.
Social Distancing
Seats in the rooms used for sessions will be spaced to allow 1m social distancing. Delegates will also be encouraged to maintain 1m social distancing in enclosed spaces. Tea/coffee and lunch breaks will be held in North Schools – a large room on the 1st floor of Exam Schools – on Tuesday 9th August and Wednesday 10thAugust, and Rooms 7, 8 and 9 – three connected rooms on the ground floor of Exam Schools on Thursday 11th August. Access to the Courtyard – an enclosed outside space accessible from the ground floor of Exam Schools – will also be possible during tea/coffee and lunch breaks.
Ventilation
Windows will be opened in the rooms used for sessions to ensure the circulation of air. Session blocks have been kept to a maximum of 90 minutes, with 30 minute or 1 hour breaks between blocks to allow rooms to air throughout the day.
Symptoms
If you have or develop any Covid-19 symptoms (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/), please do not attend sessions or social events in person. You will still be able to present and attend sessions remotely on Teams.
Travel
If you are flying, please keep updated on any guidance issued by your airline and airports in any countries you are flying to/from. Fit to fly tests, including both PCR and antigen tests, can be obtained from a number of providers in Oxford – search ‘fit to fly test oxford’.
Further Information
Further information on the current coronavirus status can be found for Oxford University at https://www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus and the UK Government at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
