As the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, local requirements and safety guidelines are changing. ASCB is closely monitoring federal and local COVID-19 guidelines for in-person gatherings and travel restrictions as there could be revisions between now and our meeting in December 2022. We will be assessing the need for attendance requirements including vaccinations, testing, masking and social distancing and will update you further as the policies are finalized in the coming months.

For your information, the current rules of our meeting site, the Washington Convention Center, are noted below. As their rules are also subject to change, we will include the applicable rules in our update.

Visit this page for the most up-to-date information regarding our meeting policies and protocols regarding COVID-19 and your health and safety. 

All attendees must be fully vaccinated as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) before the start of the Cell Bio 2022 meeting. Full vaccination is required for attendance. The ASCB may require upload of proof of vaccination closer to the date of the meeting. We also encourage you to travel with your proof of vaccination documentation in case it is required locally.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, local conditions and safety guidelines are constantly evolving. We are closely monitoring the current state, federal and local COVID-19 guidelines for in-person gatherings and travel restrictions since a lot can change between now and December 2022. ASCB will follow the latest published requirements and safety protocols from the city of Washington, DC. We will be actively evaluating conditions and developing meeting guidelines to ensure a safe environment for all participants traveling to Washington, D.C.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, please do not enter the convention center if you have any symptoms of illness until you are able to take a COVID test and it is negative.

Attendees are required to wear respirator masks (N95 or KN95) in all meeting rooms, exhibit halls, and at official meeting events. Masks are highly recommended in hallways, foyers, and other transit areas. Please bring a respirator mask with you. The ASCB will provide one respirator mask to each participant when they enter the building, if they do not have one, or when they pick up their badge.

Food and beverage events will be limited to encourage mask wearing. Any sessions in meeting rooms that serve food and beverage will have a designated room nearby where the food will be served. No food will be allowed in the meeting rooms since people cannot remove their mask to eat during sessions. The opening night reception will have light food and beverage refreshments served in the open foyer outside of the ballroom after the Keynote. We ask that you wear your mask when not actively eating or drinking. There will be no cash bar for alcohol at the opening reception this year.

By registering for the meeting, you agree and will be obligated to abide by the ASCB’s rules on vaccination and mask wearing.

The ASCB will not be financially obligated in any way if you contract COVID-19 while in Washington DC for the Cell Bio 2022 Meeting. We strongly suggest that all attendees purchase travel insurance (if their employer does not currently provide coverage) with an Epidemic Coverage Endorsement that addresses the following situations:

1. Trip Cancellation, if, for example, you must cancel your trip after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
2. Trip Interruption, if, for example, during your trip you are specifically named and individually ordered to quarantine (not including general or broadly applicable quarantines).
3. Travel Delay, if, for example, you are denied boarding based on a suspicion that you are ill with an epidemic disease such as COVID-19.
4. Emergency Medical Care, if, for example, you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and need to be hospitalized while traveling.
5. Emergency Transportation, if, for example, you’re diagnosed with an epidemic disease such as COVID-19 while you’re traveling, and you require an emergency medical evacuation.

If the ASCB cancels the meeting, we will provide you with a full meeting registration refund. You will need to cancel your hotel reservation at least 72 hours prior to arrival so that you are not charged for your hotel room. If you do not do this, you will be charged for one night plus tax for a no-show reservation.

If you need to cancel your registration, please do so by November 28 so you can receive a meeting registration refund less the processing fee. Refund requests after November 28 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You will also need to contact your hotel and cancel your reservation at least 72 hours prior to arrival so that you are not charged. If you do not do this, you will be charged for one night plus tax for a no-show reservation.

If you are exhibiting symptoms, we may ask you to take a COVID-19 test at your expense and email us if you test positive.

Meeting Venue COVID-19 Safety Initiatives