WASHINGTON–Attendees at CUNA’s upcoming GAC will no longer need to verify their coronavirus vaccine status in order to the attend the event, following a change in requirements to enter indoor venues by the District of Columbia.
In addition, the indoor mask requirement in D.C. will expire on Feb. 28, but CUNA stressed the convention center has still not said whether it will waive its requirement that people wear masks. The trade group said it is awaiting an update from officials with the convention center.
“We’re pleased that COVID-19 numbers are moving in the right direction in Washington, D.C.,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle in a statement. “This does not change our commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable event for all attendees, and we will continue to work with the staff at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to adhere to the latest safety recommendations.”
CUNA noted, however, that while the city-wide vaccine verification requirement has been lifted, businesses may choose to continue to ask customers for vaccination verification or to adhere to mask guidelines. CUNA further said it is awaiting further guidance on their mask guidelines after the city-wide requirement expires on Feb. 28.
As CUToday.info previously reported, CUNA had put protocols in place that required attendees to provide proof of vaccination via a third party provider it retained, Safe Expo, in order to generate a QR code that attendees would need to show in order to attend the event.
While Safe Expo will no longer be providing services around proof of vaccination status, CUNA said the company will continue to be on-site at GAC to provide COVID-testing for any attendee who is concerned about their exposure, according to Todd Spiczenski, chief products and services officer with CUNA.
"The timing forces us to pivot again, but from that standpoint, based on what we are hearing from attendees, they understand the scenario. Everyone has been dealing with for the last two years," said Spiczenski during a call with the media. "It should make it easier for attendees to get in and out of the convention center."
Even with the vaccination and mask requirements, CUNA had earlier said registrations were tracking similar to the last pre-COVID meeting held in early 2020. Spizcenski said he is unsure what affect the announcement the vaccination requirement has been waived will have on additional sign-ups.
"Hopefully, we will see a surge," he said. "There has been no immediate uptick, but that could change over the next two weeks. Attendance has been strong from the get-go. People are excited about being back in person and I don’t think this announcement changes that at all."