Safety + Wellness at General Assembly

Health & Safety at General Assembly

The Pittsburgh Port Authority and UUA GA host hotels continue to encourage caution, although neither has COVID-related mandates in effect. In keeping with UU values, your decision to attend GA in person should include an assessment of risk to your own safety, as well as compassion for the most vulnerable in our community who might also be present. In-person attendees must be vaccinated for COVID prior to entry in UUA GA spaces. Additionally, in-person attendees agree to safely distance from others when eating and/or singing, and to wear approved face masks while indoors and in close proximity. Those who cannot honor safety and wellness requirements will have their in-person registration converted to virtual participant, with the difference in cost either refunded or, if requested, donated toward financial support for other attendees with need.

Safety Precautions at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

  • Though local mandates no longer require masking indoors, masks are strongly recommended in crowded outdoor settings where physical distancing is not possible. Masking will be a requirement at GA, regardless of current state mandates. Some local Pittsburgh businesses may require proof of vaccination. Please check with individual businesses on their policies before visiting, and continue to be patient, flexible and kind, especially if asked to mask up or share your vaccination status.
  • Although the UUA will request that the same requirements for registered GA attendees be applicable to the various service providers and laborers involved with GA, they are not legally bound to do so.

COVID Testing in Downtown Pittsburgh

COVID TESTING LOCATIONS

  • TACKL Health
    Location:Pittsburgh International Airport 
    Phone: 888-705-6576
  • Rite Aid
    Location: 100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh PA
    Phone: (412) 338-8614
  • CVS
    Location: 242 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh PA
    Phone: (412) 566-2619
  • CVS/Target
    Location: 482 Smithfield St, Pittsburgh PA
    Phone: (412) 222-7298
  • UPMC Mercy Hospital – South Side
    Location: 2000 Mary St, Pittsburgh PA
    Phone: 1-822-559-7680

Before You Travel, Plan Ahead

  • Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before you travel.
    • Find out when you can get your booster and where to get a vaccine or booster.
    • COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people—especially those who are boosted— from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying.
  • Check the current COVID-19 Community Level at your destination.
  • Make sure you understand and follow all state, tribal, local, and territorial travel restrictions, including proper mask-wearing, proof of vaccination, or testing requirements.
    • For up-to-date information and travel guidance, check the state, tribal, local, and territorial health department’s websites where you are, along your route, and where you are going.
  • If traveling by air, check if your airline requires any testing, vaccination, or other documents.
  • Prepare to be flexible during your trip as restrictions and policies may change during your travel.
  • If you have a weakened immune system or are at increased risk for severe disease, take multiple prevention steps to provide additional layers of protection from COVID-19 even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
    • Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk before travel and consider delaying travel to areas with high COVID-19 Community levels. Even if you are up to date, you should know what precautions to take.
Decorative

Daily Health Considerations

Each morning before leaving your room, please ask yourself (as well as any youth for whom you are responsible):

Am I/Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms (that are not caused by a known chronic medical condition)?”

  • Cough
  • Congestion/Runny Nose
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Fever or chills
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste/smell
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • New muscle/body aches or fatigue

If Yes,

  • Isolate in your room.
  • Consider taking a rapid test. The UUA will have tests available at General Assembly, upon request. (We are aware of the current research on the efficacy of rapid tests; however, for now, this approach aids in mitigating negative outcomes should someone with symptoms test positive for COVID-19).

If You Test Negative,

  • Continue isolation until all symptoms resolve.
  • Get a PCR test. The GA Care Team can provide a list of locations for PCR testing in Downtown Pittsburgh.

If You Test Positive,

  • Contact the GA Care Team (gachaplains@uua.org) to report your positive case.
  • Continue isolation for the length of the quarantine period recommended by the CDC.
  • Stay in room with further precautions and supports, as needed.
  • Obtain PCR test. Once test results are negative; Return home.

Health Acknowledgement

Registering to attend General Assembly in-person is an acknowledgement that:

I understand that travel and gathering involves risk of sickness, including sickness from COVID-19. I (and on behalf of my minor guest(s)) waive and release the UUA, its board, sponsors and exhibitors, employees and agents, from and against claims, liabilities and expenses arising from injury, sickness or death from contraction or spread of COVID-19 or other communicable disease due to travel to or attendance at an event sponsored by the UUA. I will take necessary precautions while at the event including, but not limited to, engaging in appropriate social distancing, wearing a mask when requested and/or required, minimize face touching, frequently washing hands and avoiding risky environments such as overcrowded rooms. I agree to remove myself from all GA programming if I feel ill or have exposure to a COVID-19 case. I understand that I am financially responsible for all expenses should I overstay my departure date, under the direction of a medical professional, due to COVID-19. This waiver and release is binding on me and my heirs and successors.

In-person attendees are urged to check the latest guidelines from the CDC and the State Department travel advisories and review the individual supplier’s websites before and during travel. Links to those resources and others have been provided by the UUA travel consultant.