Safe Meeting Guidelines

UPDATED 7 SEPTEMBER 2021: SLAS continues to monitor official Centers for Disease Control (US), World Health Organization and NHS COVID-19 safety protocols working closely with our partners at The Francis Crick Institute, the city of London and the country of England. Guidelines are changing constantly across the United Kingdom, and we are working to create the safest environment possible for this event. Here's what we're doing to protect your health and peace of mind so you can focus on getting the most from this event.

Safety Onsite

SLAS has partnered with Safe Expo to oversee the onsite Health Safety Plan in addition to adhering to Hilton meeting procedures and guidelines. Both follow strict CDC guidance for meetings and events while allowing guests to come together safely.

SLAS will require full vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test to enter this event.

• Proof of Vaccination: If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, you will receive access to upload your vaccination card in early August and can upload your card at any time prior to arrival onsite.
• Proof of Negative COVID Test: Your test must be administered within 72 hours of your arrival onsite at this event. Once you have received your negative test result, you will be required to show this to the Safe Expo Screening Desk prior to picking up your badge at registration.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you will not only need to show proof of negative COVID-19 test but also complete a short health attestation form upon arrival at the event for the first time.

Once you are verified, you will receive a confirmation from Safe Expo via Ambassador@SafeExpo.org with your verification attachment.

Print and/or download that attachment to your mobile device. Please check your junk mail if you do not see confirmation in your inbox.

You will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE EVENT WITHOUT THIS VERIFICATION.

Onsite every attendee, guest, SLAS team member and vendor will be passing through Safe Expo before collecting registration credentials.

Masking Requirements

SLAS encourages all event participants to be vaccinated; however, vaccination is not required for in-person attendance. We respect your personal choices and are committed to safely accommodating all participants.

Regardless of vaccination status, SLAS requires that all event participants, vendors, staff and service partners wear a mask in the SLAS event space.

This is in accordance with recommendations regarding gatherings. 

WHO, Country and Local Guidelines

All participants are expected to follow local and facility guidelines as well as travel safety guidelines when using ground and air transportation en route to the event.

• World Health Organization
• City of London
• Country of England

Francis Crick COVID-19 Statement

The Crick’s priority is to keep our staff and visitors safe, and we are compliant with all protocols and requirements specified by Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive. The Crick will continue to evaluate what is best for event participants and our staff to ensure they can meet and work safely.

What we are doing to maintain a safe environment

• All people attending events at the Crick must show evidence of double vaccination via the NHSApp/ EU Digital Covid Certificate- or if not possible provide evidence of a negative Covid19 test event (this can be a PCR taken within 72 hours of the event or a lateral flow taken on the day)
• Reduced capacity in all our event spaces (currently 50-60% capacity)
• Social distancing of 1m+ where possible
• Increased full fresh air circulation
• Regular cleaning of all areas
• Testing and safety training for all staff
• All catering is served, and food is provided in individually packaged portions where possible.

Patience, Please

As has been the case this past 20 months, the situation is changing constantly and guidelines are fluid. SLAS reserves the right to change these guidelines at any time and to deny entry to this event to any participant not in compliance with these guidelines. Please be patient with event organizers, facility partners and your fellow event participants and please operate with kindness and understanding.

SLAS will continue to evaluate what is best for event participants to ensure we meet safely and that every attendee and member of the staff and service communities are comfortable.

Note: Individuals may choose to wear a face-covering for a variety of reasons unrelated to their vaccination status; they may be immunocompromised, living with someone who has not been vaccinated or who has a health issue or they may just feel more comfortable with a face covering. Wearing or not wearing a mask does not signal someone's vaccination status. As a reminder, harassment or retaliation related to an individual's perceived vaccination status or wearing of a face covering is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

About Safe Expo

Safe Meeting Guidelines for this event are developed, implemented and enforced by Safe Expo. Safe Expo works with the appropriate authorities to develop a safety plan that meets the needs of the event organizers and venues.

Visit the Safe Expo website for more information.

Please e-mail Amy Wilkinson, SLAS Director Global Events, for any additional questions.