Health and Safety

We are excited to be together again for the first time in almost 3 years.  With that said, the SREE leadership and staff wishes to manage this conference with the health, safety, and well-being of our attendees, staff, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers in mind. SREE strongly encourages all attendees to be considerate of other attendees, many who may be venturing out to an event such as this for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, and follow the recommended preventive measures outlined below.

COVID-19 Vaccination

In keeping with the Association's duty to care and responsibility as host, SREE leadership strongly encourages all attendees, whether a presenter, attendee, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor to be fully vaccinated. The CDC Vaccines website provides definitions of "Fully Vaccinated" and "Up To Date".   We recognize that a new booster shot was released within three weeks of the conference start date, and encourage attendees to consider getting this booster shot prior to attending if appropriate for their personal circumstances (including consideration of the timing of last booster, previous infections, etc.)

Testing

SREE strongly encourages all individuals, to be tested for COVID prior to traveling to the SREE conference. Individuals who test positive should stay home a.  SREE also strongly encourages all individuals to pack rapid tests and test daily while at the conference.  If you are on-site and have a positive rapid test result or start to feel ill, please refrain from attending any sessions.  You can contact SREE staff by emailing [email protected] if you are need of a rapid test or if you need to extend your hotel room due to isolation. The hotel will provide the room at the conference rate for that period.   

How to access free rapid tests

By law, private health insurance companies are required to provide 8 tests per member per month free of charge. You can sign up to receive these and pick them up at your local drugstore. The links to receive the tests from CVS and Walgreens are https://www.cvs.com/covid-test-kits/?icid=shop-ahct-education-reimbursement-link1-request-tests and https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/otc.   You may also be able to pick up rapid tests through your local jurisdiction.

Masking

While masking is not required, SREE strongly encourages participants to wear masks with at least 3 layers of fabric, such as KN95, KF94, or N95 masks, at all times, except while actively eating/drinking. Masks should cover both the mouth and nose. We ask that participants honor the requests of others to mask up and/or maintain physical distancing. See the CDC webpage for the most updated information about face coverings and masks, including COVID-19 Community Levels to make decisions about what prevention/mitigation measures to implement based on the latest data.

Physical Distancing

SREE will spread out seating to allow individuals who wish to physically distance while in sessions to do so comfortably. 

Meals and Receptions

SREE is fortunate to have access to outside space at the event venue, the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel  This outside space will be available during all receptions and all attendees will have the options of taking any provided meal to-go so that they can eat outside or in the privacy of their hotel room if they prefer.

When dining at restaurants, SREE strongly encourages attendees to choose outdoor spaces. Many restaurants in Arlington, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C. offer outside seating.

• Outdoor dining in Arlington. (Zoom in on the map to see the restaurant names.)  All the restaurants on or near 23^rd street are within walking distance of the hotel.  
• Outdoor dining in Alexandra. (Old Town Alexandria is a short cab/Uber ride from the hotel).
• Outdoor dining in Washington, D.C. (Accessible via metro or cab/Uber)

 You can also filter for outdoor seating on Opentable.com.