COVID Event Safety Policies

as of July 11, 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is working hard to manage the health and safety of all attendees at the 2022 National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling Main Conference & Workshops, which will take place in Boston as in-person events. All in-person participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, NCPG staff, service providers and vendors are expected to abide by our COVID Event Safety Policies leading up to and for the duration of the conference.

We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions and coordinate implementation of these safety measures with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotel and venues hosting conference events.

NCPG reserves the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time and without prior notice given the rapidly changing nature of the current global pandemic. NCPG shall provide prompt notice of any amendments to its policies and procedures on its website and to those registered for the NCPG conference as changes are made.

Boston’s Proof of Vaccine Mandate

On February 18th the city of Boston lifted the vaccination mandate for patrons and staff at indoor venues. However, Mayor Wu has reserved the right to reinstate this mandate should COVID-19 cases rise. You may review these policies between now and the date of the conference at www.Boston.gov.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As of March 5, 2022, the City of Boston has lifted the indoor masking mandate. Residents and visitors to Boston will no longer be required by the city to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces. Please find Boston’s up-to-date requirements at www.Boston.gov.

The 2022 National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling continues to strongly recommend that masks be worn at all times during the event, except when eating, regardless of vaccination status.

Choose a mask or face covering that fits snugly against your nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face.
Choose a mask or face covering that has two or more layers of tightly woven or non-woven material AND that you will be comfortable wearing.
Due to the more transmissible omicron variant, consider wearing a disposable surgical mask, or if you will be in close contact with the public, a KN95 mask.
For more information, please see the CDC’s guide to masks.

Pre-Event Testing

NCPG strongly encourages individuals to be tested for COVID-19 prior to traveling to the 2022 National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. Individuals who test positive for COVID on or after July 15, 2022, shall not attend. They must contact NCPG regarding canceling their registration as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours. Full refunds on conference registration for any sessions not attended are available to attendees who test positive on or after July 15 and on-site.

On-site Testing

NCPG will provide a free testing kit to all staff and registered attendees and volunteers who request it while they are onsite for the 2022 National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling Main Conference & Workshops. Kits will only be available with a scan of your conference badge and as long as supplies last.

Anyone who tests positive will be required to surrender their conference badge and will not be allowed to attend any further events. They are asked to quarantine themselves but are eligible for a registration refund upon request.

Hand Washing / Sanitizing

Conference attendees are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as often as possible.
Hand sanitizer will be provided in meeting rooms and dining areas.

Enhanced Venue Cleaning

The Westin Boston Seaport District will regularly clean and sanitize meeting and dining spaces.
Between sessions, staff will sanitize the microphone(s) used during each presentation.

NCPG National Conference