BEM 2022 COVID-19 Policies
Vaccinations: BEMS 2022 has decided that all participants at the in-person Portsmouth Benthic Ecology Meeting, including presenters, attendees, exhibitors, volunteers, and accompanying persons will be required to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Being fully vaccinated does not currently include the booster but we do highly recommend being boosted before attending the conference. We will be requiring proof of vaccination so please bring either your vaccination card, a photo of your vaccination card, a printed record from a vaccine provider, or a digital record. BEMS 2022 will follow health guidelines at federal, state, and local levels to mitigate risks. We are actively watching advice on gathering and travel. The safety and health of attendees and residents of New Hampshire are the top priority for BEMS organizers.
Masking: Currently, we will be requiring masks to be worn indoors, including in the poster hall and meeting sessions at the venue. Please be sure to bring enough masks for the entirety of the conference, however there will be a limited number of masks available at the conference registration desk for those who need them. Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer will be available at each of the podiums as well as around the venue.
Exceptions to the mask mandate includes:
-Speakers at the podium, if they choose to, may remove their masks during their presentation
-Attendees can lower their mask while eating or drinking but please keep it brief and distance yourself from others while doing so
-During the banquet while you are seated at the table actively eating or drinking
COVID testing: Although it is not required, BEMS strongly encourages attendees to be tested for COVID prior to traveling to the conference.
For those who need or want testing before their return travel, the UNH COVID testing lab will be on-site on Friday morning and will be available to conference registrants. Please contact us at BEM.2022@unh.edu to reserve and pre-purchase a test through the UNH COVID lab. Results will be available by Saturday afternoon.
If you would like to test during the conference, contact the conference organizers through the conference app or through the hotel to find the closest options. Listed are a few options below within walking or short Uber/taxi distance from the venue where you could purchase Rapid or PCR tests BUT please be aware that these options may no longer be available at the time of the conference.
Convenient MD: 599 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth NH
ClearChoiceMD: 750 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth NH
Drive-Thru testing at Walgreens: 15 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery ME
CVS pharmacy: 674 Islington St, Portsmouth NH
Rite Aid: 800 Islington St #1, Portsmouth NH
More details about COVID-19 material will be updated as we get closer to the conference.
Masking: Currently, we will be requiring masks to be worn indoors, including in the poster hall and meeting sessions at the venue. Please be sure to bring enough masks for the entirety of the conference, however there will be a limited number of masks available at the conference registration desk for those who need them. Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer will be available at each of the podiums as well as around the venue.
Exceptions to the mask mandate includes:
-Speakers at the podium, if they choose to, may remove their masks during their presentation
-Attendees can lower their mask while eating or drinking but please keep it brief and distance yourself from others while doing so
-During the banquet while you are seated at the table actively eating or drinking
COVID testing: Although it is not required, BEMS strongly encourages attendees to be tested for COVID prior to traveling to the conference.
For those who need or want testing before their return travel, the UNH COVID testing lab will be on-site on Friday morning and will be available to conference registrants. Please contact us at BEM.2022@unh.edu to reserve and pre-purchase a test through the UNH COVID lab. Results will be available by Saturday afternoon.
If you would like to test during the conference, contact the conference organizers through the conference app or through the hotel to find the closest options. Listed are a few options below within walking or short Uber/taxi distance from the venue where you could purchase Rapid or PCR tests BUT please be aware that these options may no longer be available at the time of the conference.
Convenient MD: 599 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth NH
ClearChoiceMD: 750 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth NH
Drive-Thru testing at Walgreens: 15 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery ME
CVS pharmacy: 674 Islington St, Portsmouth NH
Rite Aid: 800 Islington St #1, Portsmouth NH
More details about COVID-19 material will be updated as we get closer to the conference.