Covid Protocols for In-Person Events

As USY events begin to return in-person, we want to ensure that we are taking every possible precaution to protect our teens and staff against the spread of COVID-19. USY’s medical committee has developed the following protocols for all USY staff and participants. Until now, we were working towards mitigations for a 0 transmissible event, however with the changes due to Omicron and the variant being transmissible even with vaccination (though still less so), we are working towards mitigations with a risk tolerance equivalent to school. Anyone with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk, or living with someone who is high risk, should carefully evaluate risk and discuss with their personal health care provider before attending.
For additional questions regarding specific conventions or events, please be in touch with your local USY branch staff member.

DAY PROGRAMS:
  • We strongly recommend that everyone be up-to-date on their COVID vaccination
  • Each program will follow the public health guidelines of the location where it is taking place

PRE-PROGRAM SCREENING
Prior to each program there will be a COVID screening, which will include the following questions:
  • Have you had any known exposure to someone who tested positive or had presumed COVID in the past 7 days?
    • If yes and asymptomatic, you can take a rapid antigen (home or medical facility) test and attend if negative.
    • Test must be taken the day of the program with a picture of the results with your initials and date on the test or medical report sent to staff.
  • Has anyone in your household tested positive for COVID in the past 10 days?
    • If yes, you can attend only if a rapid antigen test (home or medical facility) is negative on Day 5 or later since your last exposure to that household contact.
    • Test must be taken the day of the program with a picture of the results with your initials and date on the test or medical report sent to staff.
  • Do you have any of the following symptoms?
    • Fever of 100.4 or higher,  chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
    • If you have any symptoms, do not come to the program.

OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS:
FACILITY
  • All event facilities must have the ability to isolate the USY group in an area to avoid mixing with public as much as possible.
  • In keeping with the updated CDC guidelines surrounding masking, USY will now be utilizing the county by county map that indicates COVD-19 risk level in each county and classifies it by a color code (green, yellow, or red).  If all participants attending an event all reside within counties that are classified as either green or yellow then we will move to a mask recommended environment instead of a mask mandatory environment. 
  • Please note that we still encourage the use of masks and also reserve the right to change this policy should the map change between the current determination and the start of the convention.  The rest of our protocols regarding vaccination and testing remain the same as our winter conventions.

    **To see the county by county map from the CDC website please use click here

  • USY groups will not attend off-site events (i.e. no theme parks).
  • Hotel room maximum occupancy will be four USYers per room, with the possibility (if available) of an option for two USYers per room, for an additional fee.

PERSONAL RISK MITIGATION
  • All participants and staff must be fully vaccinated, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection.
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FOOD
  • Food may be served buffet style/self-served
  • Hand sanitizing gel must be used before entering and after exiting buffet line
  • As much as possible, eating tables will be kept to 50% occupancy
TESTING
  • All participants must take two rapid antigen (home or medical facility) tests prior to the overnight event, one 24-hours prior to the event and one the morning of the event. They may attend if both are negative.
SICK POLICY
  • If any person at a convention develops any of the following symptoms of COVID-19, they must be isolated and picked up as quickly as possible after discussion with staff and parent(s). The expectation is that a sick child will be picked up within 3-4 hours when logistically possible based on transportation/distance.
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea
  • Sick participants will not be able to take group travel home and must be picked up. If a participant leaves a convention for sickness, they must be tested between 3-5 days following. If the participant tests positive for Covid 19, USY must be notified as quickly as possible.
COVID- 19 REFUND POLICY
  • Cancellation by USCJ/USY. In the event the COVID-19 pandemic or any other circumstances beyond the control of USCJ/USY require us (in USCJ/USY’s sole and absolute discretion) to cancel the USY International Convention program between the date of registration and the scheduled Start Date, you will receive a full refund of monies paid to USCJ/USY.
  • Withdrawal by You. In the event, after registering but prior to the scheduled start date you notify USCJ/USY that you are withdrawing from the program, refunds of monies paid to USCJ/USY will be made as follows:
    • If the withdrawal is for good cause, you will receive a full refund. If the withdrawal is without good cause, there shall be a partial fund.
    • The decision as to whether there is good cause for a participant’s withdrawal, or not, shall be made by the USCJ/USY program director and shall be final, conclusive and binding, and not subject to review by any court or arbitrator.
    • As above, the USCJ finance department will communicate to you within 30 days of the end date the amount and calculation of any refund to which you are entitled. The calculation (other than arithmetic errors) shall be final, conclusive and binding, and not subject to review by any court or arbitrator. You shall have the option to convert any refund, in whole or in part, into a charitable donation to USCJ. Any refund (or portion thereof) not converted into a charitable donation shall be paid within 14 days thereafter. Note: In no event shall any refund exceed the actual amount paid to USCJ/USY by you, exclusive of any scholarships, grants, or other third-party payments on your behalf.

Additional Supplies: 
USY Staff already bring a basic medical kit consisting of first aid supplies, basic over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl , hydrocortisone cream, etc.
  • In addition to this basic medical kit USY staff will also have at each convention the following:
    • Extra disposable 3 ply masks for those who need
    • KN95 masks for staff who need 
    • Nitrile gloves
    • Infrared non touch thermometer
    • Sanitizing wipes
    • Trash bags
    • Paper towels
    • Plenty of hand sanitizer bottles (both large refills and smaller bottles to have throughout)