Chamber COVID Event Protocol Examples

We’ve been monitoring the different approaches chambers are taking to ensuring in-person event safety, from providing masks and hand sanitizing stations to limiting capacity to ensure social distancing and moving to more pre-packaged and boxed food options. Some chambers have even taken the step to require proof of vaccine or negative COVID test.

Last week we asked you to share your event policies and protocols with us. We’ve compiled a short list of examples to inform your ongoing activities. I hope you find them helpful.

Abilene Chamber of Commerce (Texas)

Here at the Abilene Chamber, we're committed to creating and providing an environment where you feel comfortable, but also have the freedom to do business. Here are a few guidelines we'll be following:

• To protect your health and the health of others, masks will be strongly encouraged and will be on-hand for those who do not have one.
• We'll have multiple hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility as well as signage encouraging one way traffic at our larger events.
• Unsure of if the person you're wanting to visit with is physically distancing? We'll have colored bracelets on-hand to help you communicate to those around you which measures you are practicing. A red will mean no contact, yellow elbows only while still being cautious, blue high-five and handshakes with frequent sanitizing.
• We ask that if you do not feel well or have an inkling that you have been exposed to stay home.
• Thanks to our partner, Armament Shield Abilene's Germ Killer, we have access to Breathe-In technology that will help disinfect the air at our larger events in the hope to mitigate viruses

Also see the safety poster pdf.

Loudoun Chamber (Virginia)

The Loudoun Chamber requires proof of COVID vaccine or a negative COVID test to participate in any in-person chamber activity.

See press release and mandatory vaccine rule documents. 

Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce

West Coast Chamber Policy and Protocol for in-person gatherings:

 The West Coast Chamber takes the health and safety of our members, staff and host organizations very seriously. These COVID-19 measures are intended for the sole purpose of keeping those groups as safe as possible.

The Chamber requires all attendees to wear masks at indoor programs and meetings, regardless of their vaccination status, except when actively eating or drinking.

We are offering digital attendance options for most programs. If you feel ill or are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or have recently come in contact with someone who has tested positive, please do not attend and instead take advantage of our digital offerings.

If you've attended a recent Chamber program or meeting and later test positive for COVID-19, please let us know.

We will continue to follow the latest guidance from the CDC and the Ottawa County Department of Public Health and will adjust these measures in the future as needed.  

Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Our guidelines for event attendees:

• We encourage everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear facial coverings when not actively eating or drinking.
• We are following COVID-19 guidance from local health departments and the CDC for in person events. If you are sick or feel you are getting sick, we ask that you please stay home. 

Vaccination Requirement

The safety of our members and guests is always of the utmost importance.  The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce requires all staff, members and guests who attend our events to be fully vaccinated. All attendees will be asked to provide their physical COVID-19 vaccine card, a photo of vaccination card, or Health Pass by CLEAR. 

The Chamber will consider requests for exemptions from this requirement for documented medical/disability reasons, or sincerely-held religious beliefs, so long as that request and appropriate supporting documentation is received at least five (5) days prior to the event. If an exemptions is granted, the member or guest must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours prior to the event, and may be subject to other requirements.

Overland Park Chamber of Commerce (Kansas)

Overland Park Chamber COVID policy for events & meetings

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask when attending Overland Park Chamber of Commerce meetings and events. This policy applies to meetings and events held in the Chamber Foundation building as well as off-site venues and applies to all Chamber members, guests and staff. Masks will be required for all individuals except while actively eating or drinking, or while in designated areas such as outdoor spaces. The safety of our members, guests and staff is of the utmost priority to us.

The Overland Park Chamber team is leading by example and, although 100% vaccinated, will mask while in the Chamber Foundation Building common areas and meetings and events. We appreciate your support of these safety measures. 

Covid mandate for Staff Team

Additionally, we are updating all relevant HR policies and manuals to require employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to have received an approved accommodation based on medical condition or sincerely held religious belief or practice.

Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce (California)

In line with our continuing commitment of health and safety for each our members, staff and community, the following COVID-19 protocols will take place: 

Proof of full vaccination or a pre-entry negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to the event required for all guests. Verification of these will be checked as guests enter the event.  

• The following are acceptable as proof of full vaccination: Physical COVID-19 vaccination record card OR photocopy of vaccine card OR a photo of vaccine card on a phone or any other electronic device.
• People are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, or 2 weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. 
• The following are acceptable as proof of a negative COVID-19 test result: Printed document (from the test provider or laboratory) OR an email or text message displayed on a phone from the test provider or laboratory. Testing must be conducted within 72 hours before event start time (both PCR and antigen are acceptable). 

The Chamber may make changes to the venue as we get closer to the event, and all registrants would be informed of any changes.