Staff members preview the new Conference Center in the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky, where the General Assembly will be held. (Photo by Rich Copley)
As the first batch of commissioners and advisory delegates make their way to the Presbyterian Center in Louisville this week, steps are being taken to lower the risk of exposure to the latest Covid variants. From up-to-date vaccinations to high-quality masks and single hotel rooms, the Office of the General Assembly has worked to keep the risk as low as possible.
For the past several months, OGA leaders have been meeting regularly with health experts, mapping out precautions to be taken at the center to protect participants.
Among the measures taken:
- Those attending in person must be up to date on all vaccinations as required in their own communities and provide proof at registration.
- Participants will be required to wear high-quality N95 or KN95 masks during committee meetings and other gatherings indoors.
- A limited number of people who are not on the committee presently meeting will be allowed in conference rooms.
- Meal and snack times for committees will be staggered to avoid large gatherings.
- Each commissioner and advisory delegate will have their own hotel room.
“The health panel recommends that we retain the Covid protocols we have in place. In addition, there will be alternate times for committees to begin and take breaks to reduce the number of people circulating in hallways,” said Julia Henderson, OGA’s leader for GA planning and business. “Meeting rooms at the Presbyterian Center will be cleaned every evening after meetings. There will also be options for attendees to get outside and even eat their meals outdoors as well.”
Henderson says the health panel is very pleased with the protocols that have been put in place and believe everything to help keep people as safe as possible has been done. She added that there was a “slight bump” in the infection rate in Louisville because of the recent Kentucky Derby, but the team says it should not impact current plans at this point.
“In addition to high-quality masks and vaccination mandates, we will have Covid testing and supplemental masks available. A third party will conduct those tests and provide follow-up care for those who test positive while attending,” she said.
Henderson says that if people test positive during Assembly, they will not be able to return to the center and will be advised to remain at their hotels until they are able to travel safely.
For more information about health and safety precautions, visit the GA225 website.