Last updated on 11/7/2023
The health and safety of everyone attending Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 remains our top priority. As conditions evolve, we will continue to monitor the situation and update our policies relating to health and safety. To that end, we have updated the Health and Safety Policy for PVCF23 to reflect the current situation in Milwaukee and the U.S.
At this time, we are updating the temporary policies relating to COVID-19. On May 11, 2023, the public health emergencies declared in March 2020 by the Federal Government and the State of Wisconsin relating to the COVID-19 pandemic came to an end. While this was not the end of the threat to individual health posed by COVID-19, the risk of the virus spreading at PVCF23 is significantly reduced relative to previous years.
The updated Health and Safety Policies for Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 are as follows:
– PVCF 2023 will not require proof of vaccination or proof of negative test results. We continue to strongly encourage everyone to get all vaccines and boosters recommended for them based upon their age and health conditions.
– PVCF 2023 will not require masking in convention spaces. While masking will not generally be required, we reserve the right to require masks under certain circumstances if conditions reasonably necessitate such precautions. Masks will continue to be freely available throughout the convention for all those who want them.
These policies are subject to modification due to changes in conditions at the time of the convention. We continue to be driven by the principles of complying with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements and guidance and bringing you the best convention we can safely have.
Vaccination & Testing Policy
The vaccines developed and approved for inoculation against COVID-19 are some of the best tools available to protect against and limit the spread of the coronavirus, and we continue to recommend that everyone receive all vaccines and boosters appropriate for them. At this time, however, proof of vaccination or negative test results is not required for Ponyville Ciderfest 2023.
Mask Policy
While we encourage everyone attending Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 in person to exercise good judgment with respect to wearing tight-fitting, high-quality masks in crowded spaces, masks are not required to be worn at Ponyville Ciderfest 2023. Masks will continue to be freely available throughout the convention for all those who want them.
There may be exceptions to the general policy if deemed necessary for safety. Without limiting the generality of this H&S Policy, we note the following specific rules:
Vendor Hall
Masks are not required in the vendor hall.
Guest of Honor Events
Masks are not required at GoH events, but attendees at events involving close contact with GoHs may be required to wear masks if deemed necessary under the circumstances.
Symptomatic Individuals
PVCF23 reserves the right to require any individual displaying any kind of contagious symptoms during the convention (including, but not limited to, coughing, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or fever) to wear a mask in all event spaces.
Individual Panels/Events
Panel and other event hosts may continue to request that masks be worn for their own events, but these requests are not enforceable by PVCF23 volunteers. We expect all attendees to use reasonable judgment and be respectful of such requests, however.
Please remember that even vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from previous infection can be infected with COVID-19. Additionally, please be considerate of others around you who may be immunocompromised or may live with others who are immunocompromised or cannot get the vaccine.
We will have a supply of free masks available for attendees and encourage their use. For those who choose to wear a mask for whatever reason, and also for those who choose to not, we promise to uphold our Anti-Harassment Policy to make sure you are comfortable with your decision. We will not tolerate any harassment of anyone anywhere in or outside the convention space for their decision to wear a mask or not, or for any other reason.
Sickness Policy & Risk Acknowledgement
For the health and well-being of all attendees, please do not attend Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 if you are or have reason to believe you may be sick or infected with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms while at the convention, please self-quarantine and follow CDC guidelines for those who are or may be sick (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html). By picking up their badges at registration, all attendees agree and certify they do not reasonably believe themselves (and any minors for whom they are responsible during the convention) to be infected with COVID-19 at such time.
Attendees also agree to a Covid Risks and Responsibilities Acknowledgement requiring the following:
– Attendees acknowledge that a risk of infection with COVID-19 is inherent and unavoidable at Ponyville Ciderfest 2023.
– Attendees agree to obey all policies, signs, and staff directions relating to health and safety.
– Attendees agree not to attend Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 if they have reason to believe they are or may be infected with COVID-19 (whether or not symptomatic), including following CDC guidance relating to self-isolation and other precautions following exposure or potential exposure (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html).
– Attendees agree to leave Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 immediately if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 or otherwise have reason to believe they are or may be infected with Covid-19.
– Attendees agree to notify Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 at contact@ponyvilleciderfest.com or via Discord, Facebook, or Twitter if they learn they have become infected with COVID-19 at any time during or within 10 days following the convention. Identity and personal information regarding the attendee will be held in strict confidence, but Ponyville Ciderfest 2023 may notify other attendees of the occurrence of a known or suspected infection.
Conclusion
We understand that some of you may have concerns about these policies. We would like to reiterate that in the event of a significant increase COVID-19 before the convention, we will reexamine this policy and respond accordingly.
If you have any questions, please let us know at contact@ponyvilleciderfest.com or on Discord, Facebook, or Twitter.
We look forward to a safe and fun con!
Sincerely, The PVCF23 Leadership