Rotary International will be establishing protocols based on guidance taken from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local public health authorities. The information shown below is subject to change, so check back regularly for updates.
Updates
You can now submit proof of vaccination or test results.
COVID testing will be available at the GRB in Hall D, 3-8 June. Participants requiring a test for their return home will be charged a fee: $135 for an NAAT test and $35 for a rapid antigen test. It is the responsibility of attendees to know what testing is required for their return trip.
Masks are recommended but not required.
Prior to arrival
Attendees will need to submit either proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test administered by a medical professional or certified testing agency. For participants coming from outside the United States, the current requirements include a negative test result from a test taken within one day of boarding the first flight of your itinerary that brings you to the U.S. Domestic participants choosing the testing option must test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival at convention. Testing and/or vaccination results apply to EACH person attending the convention. No exceptions will be permitted.
Please be sure to review the requirements for vaccination and/or testing thoroughly, provided within the following links:
- Definition of fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- You must be tested with a viral test to look for current infection – these include an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). More details can be found at Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 | CDC
Submit your proof of vaccination or test results on our safety site.
Onsite
Upon arrival at the George R. Brown Convention Center, attendees will proceed to Hall D to be verified to pick up credentials by Vital Circle. To be verified, present the “Approved” email from Vital Circle that indicates your uploaded vaccination information or test result has been verified. You will receive a wristband that will indicate you are verified to receive your convention badge in Hall E. You may need to check your spam, junk or clutter folders to locate this email.
For those who have not received an “Approved” email from Vital Circle, there will be on site services to provide testing at the participant’s expense. Tests results will take about 15 minutes. Those with a negative test result will be given a wristband that will indicate you are verified to receive your convention badge in Hall E.
During the convention, Vital Circle will provide COVID-19 testing on-site for those who are symptomatic or need a test to return home. Vital Circle will have FDA emergency use authorized rapid antigen tests and Isothermal Molecular, Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) tests. Testing is being provided at no cost to participants who are symptomatic. Participants requiring a test for their return home will be charged a fee; $135 for an NAAT test, $35 for a rapid antigen test. It is the responsibility of attendees to know what testing is required for their return trip.
Mask policy
Masks are recommended but not required.
If an attendee feels ill with COVID-19-like symptoms:
- Visit Vital Circle in Hall D. A Vital Circle agent will administer a COVID-19 test. First Aid should direct all attendees with COVID-19 like symptoms to Vital Circle for testing.
- COVID-19 Results. After a test has been processed, they will be notified of the results (usually within 15 minutes).
Procedures for Positive Cases of COVID-19:
- Vital Circle will notify Rotary International if an attendee tests positive for COVID-19. Vital Circle will report any positive test result of a resident of Houston or Texas to the relevant local authority.
- Rotary International will reach out to the attendee to walk through next steps. This will include direction regarding the need to self-isolate in accordance with the CDC requirements, regardless of their vaccination status and facilitation of appropriate medical attention for them and their partners;
The George R. Brown Convention Center is a GBAC Star certified facility, which requires the facility
- To establish and maintain a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents
- To execute the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices to combat biohazards and infectious disease
- To employ highly informed cleaning professionals who are trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.
Read the GRB Event Preparation & Safety Guidelines for more details
View the Hand Sanitizing Stations Map