Health + Safety

If you are traveling to the United States, review the entry requirements from your country of origin here. As of June 12, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. With the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines, we highly suggest visiting the CDC website regularly for the most up-to-date information as your trip nears. Changes and updates are typically marked at the top of the page. Read carefully to ensure you have the most recent information regarding travel rules and regulations based on your country of origin. The requirements may change so continue to check back regularly.

*Note that entry to the event requires proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test, regardless of the United State’s entry requirements.

Mask Mandate

While many municipalities’ mask mandates have been lifted masks will still be required to be worn at the event.

Masks must be worn over the nose and mouth and must be made of a tight-knit, non-permeable material. KN95 or N95 masks are recommended. Cloth masks are acceptable. Bandanas, scarves, and gators are not permitted to be used as masks. 

Masks do not need to be worn when in outdoor spaces and while actively eating food and beverage indoors when socially distanced from others. Speakers are not required to wear masks while presenting.

Vaccine or Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement

All attendees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination OR (1) negative COVID-19 test upon first entry to the event.

Vaccine Requirement

If you are showing proof of vaccination to attend in person, you will need to show that you are ‘fully vaccinated’ against the COVID-19 virus. Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks (14 full days) after the final dose (1 of 1, or 2 of 2) of a vaccine approved for emergency or full use by the World Health Organization. View the most up-to-date list of accepted vaccines here. 

The following are acceptable forms of proof of full vaccination: 

• Government-issued or government-compliant digital vaccination verification app (such as Clear or VaxYes)
• Physical (or digital photocopy of) COVID-19 vaccination card, record, or certificate issued by a government agency, public health agency, or other authorized vaccine provider (a photo will also suffice).

The proof of vaccination record must show the name of the vaccinated individual along with one other personal identifier (such as date of birth or passport number), name of the manufacturer for vaccine received, and date(s) of vaccination. It must also include the name of the official source issuing the record (e.g., public health agency, government agency, or other authorized vaccine provider).

Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement

In lieu of proof of vaccination, participants may instead show proof of a negative COVID-19 test administered by a verified provider to enter the event. 

• Provide (1) negative COVID-19 test upon entry to the event for the first time.
• The test must be a PCR, NAAT, or Antigen test taken within 24 hours of picking up your badge on-site.
• The test may NOT be an unproctored at-home test. Tests must be administered by a verified provider, either locally in Detroit or virtually before you travel from your home city (if time permits).
• The test results must include your name and the date and time of the test. 

Onsite Testing

CNCF will provide free eMed testing kits on-site from Sunday, October 23 – Friday, October 28 for those that need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the event. There will not be space to take the test where you pick it up, so please plan to test in an alternate location (i.e, your hotel room) with reliable internet. You must test within 1-day of picking up your KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America name badge.

In addition, antigen COVID-19 tests will be available for any attendee that would like to test throughout the week.

eMed Test Kits will be available for pickup during the following dates/times:

• Sunday, October 23 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT
• Monday, October 24 | 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM EDT
• Tuesday, October 25 | 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM EDT
• Wednesday, October 26 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM EDT
• Thursday, October 27 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT
• Friday, October 28 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

eMed Test Kit Pickup Location

• Fort Pontchartrain Wyndham Hotel | Lobby Level, Pontchartrain Room, located directly across the street from Huntington Place.
• Tests will not be available at Huntington Place Convention Center

eMed Test Kit 

• The eMed test kit includes (1) BinaxNow COVID-19 antigen test 
• The test is administered by a virtual proctor via the eMed app

Prepare for Your Test in Advance

1. Create an eMed Account or Use an Existing eMed Account https://core.emed.com/procedure/begin?client_id=dsA1oAynCVLjz7o2S239g&scope=emed-binaxnow *Save time on-site and complete this step ahead of time.

2. Give yourself plenty of time to pick up and take the test. From start to finish, the testing process takes 20-30 minutes.
3. A step by step process to take the virtually proctored eMed test will be provided when you pick up your test on-site. 
4. Once you’ve taken the test you will receive digital results (shared via email and in the eMed app) to share upon entry to KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America. 
5. The following data will be shared with the Linux Foundation: date of birth, name, email address, testing result. Your information will be kept confidential. If you do not want to share this data with the Linux Foundation, please unselect this box in the eMed app. 

 

Wearable Indicators of Social Distance Comfort Levels

We will provide a wearable indicator of social distance comfort levels for event participants to wear onsite (optional but encouraged). Participants are asked to be respectful of each other’s comfort level on social distance.

Please expect the following measures to be in place at the event. 

• Mask mandate 
• Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test
• Event signage indicating required health and safety protocols 
• Additional space between speakers and attendees in conference rooms to allow speakers to give talks without wearing masks, while keeping attendees safe
• Wider aisles in the exhibit hall with booths spaced apart. Event participants are asked to not crowd around booths and to limit the number of attendees at a booth at any given time.
• Wider aisles and increased event traffic flow signage to allow for physical distancing
• Rigorous onsite cleaning and sanitizing of all touch points including cleaning of each badge check-in station between participants
• Pre-packaged food and beverage wherever possible, and proper health and safety protocols for those handling food & beverage
• Sanitized microphones between each speaker’s use
• Plentiful sanitation stations onsite 
• Personal hand sanitizer bottles and wipes available for participants
• The Linux Foundation does not allow firearms or other weapons, regardless of whether they are permitted or not, or whether they are concealed or not, to be brought into our events. By agreeing to these terms, you are agreeing that you understand this policy and will not bring a firearm or other weapons into the event.

At a minimum, we will be following all mandated venue, municipality, and CDC guidelines. This list, and all protocols, are subject to change as the fluid COVID-19 situation changes. 

Why have you decided to allow a negative COVID-19 test in lieu of vaccination?

As the pandemic evolves, we need to ensure our protocols evolve with it to serve our ultimate goal of health, safety, and inclusivity at our events. By allowing attendees to provide a negative test result instead of vaccination we believe it is possible to be more inclusive and allow more people the option to participate in person without putting vaccinated participants at additional risk. In-person attendees will therefore have the choice between presenting a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination. Please note that if you present proof of vaccination you will not be required to provide a negative test in addition. However, we do encourage everyone to test regardless. On-site testing options will be available soon.

I’m vaccinated. Do I still need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test?

No. If you are fully vaccinated you are not required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter the event. However, we do encourage attendees to test of their own accord. On-site testing options will be available soon.

What types of COVID-19 tests will be accepted?

• A negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction), NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test), or Antigen test will be accepted.
• The test may NOT be an unproctored at-home test. Tests must be administered by a verified provider, either locally in Detroit or virtually before you travel from your home city (if time permits).
• The test results must include your name and the date and time of the test. 

May I provide results from an at-home test?

No. Tests must be administered by a verified provider either in Detroit (in person or via virtual proctor) or in your home country or a country you transit through.

Will I be able to get tested onsite?

Yes. CNCF will provide free testing on-site from Sunday, October 23 – Friday, October 28 for those that need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the event. These tests can be taken onsite or conducted in your hotel room with a virtually approved proctor.  Tests will be available for any attendee that would like to test throughout the week. Additional details will be coming soon. 

If I’m not vaccinated will I be required to show a negative COVID-19 test each day of the event?

No. Unvaccinated attendees are not required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test each day. Only one (1) negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of picking up your badge will need to be provided.

The negative COVID-19 test requirement includes:

• Provide (1) negative COVID-19 test upon entry to the event for the first time.

• The test must be a PCR, NAAT, or Antigen test taken within 24 hours of presenting the test results onsite at the event. 

• This test may NOT be an unproctored at-home test. Tests must be administered by a verified provider either in Detroit (in person or via virtual proctor) or in your home country or a country you transit through.
• The test results must include your name and the date and time of the test. 

Why are you removing the daily temperature temp check?

Since our return to in-person events, both for CNCF and The Linux Foundation overall, we have not recorded any cases of denying entry to someone due to a fever as detected by a temperature check. By removing the daily temperature check, it will help reduce check-in time, re-entry lines, and frustrations, as some attendees were stuck in long lines getting into the venue in Valencia, making them late for talks. Given the lack of effectiveness of the daily checks and their negative impact on the attendee experience, we are removing them. Note that we do still reserve the right to do a temperature check on an as-needed basis.

Will I be required to wear a mask?

Yes, we are mandating masks at the event in order to minimize risk to attendees. Masks must be worn at all times with the exception of (1) outdoor spaces at the event, (2) actively eating or drinking*, and (3) delivering a talk on the keynote stage or in a breakout session. Masks must cover your nose and mouth, and they must be made of a tight-knit, non-permeable material. KN95 or N95 masks are recommended. Cloth masks are acceptable. Bandanas, scarves, and gators are not permitted to be used as masks. Participants should provide their own masks for the event, though extras will be available at event registration and information desks, as well as the event zone entrance areas for those that need them.

*Note we will not be allowing food and beverage in any session rooms (including keynote rooms and co-located events) to reduce spread.

I am a speaker. Do I need to wear a mask while giving my conference talk?

No, speakers will be exempt from wearing masks while giving their talks. We are ensuring that enough space is given between the ‘speaker area’ in a conference room and the attendee seating to ensure social distancing while speakers have their masks off. Please put your mask back on when you are finished with your talk, and be mindful of how close you are getting to attendees if you move around while speaking. 

Will you be providing personal protective equipment (PPE) onsite?

We ask attendees to provide their own masks, however, we will have extras on-site should anyone need them. We will also have hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue and event spaces and personal bottles of hand sanitizer available at the registration help desk for attendees that need it.

How often will you be cleaning/sanitizing the event zone?

The timing will vary based on the use of each space in the event zone. For example, registration kiosks and counters will be cleaned after each use/participant check-in. Frequently touched surfaces throughout the venue, such as elevator buttons, escalator handrails, door handles and tabletops, will be cleaned frequently. While surfaces will be cleaned regularly, we recommend all event participants wash their hands and/or sanitize their hands regularly to protect themselves. Hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the venue. Personal bottles of sanitizer will be available at registration.

Can I pick up badges for colleagues this year?

No. Because badges are being used as proof of vaccination or negative test validation throughout the event, each participant will need to pick up their own badge.

What happens if I need to cancel my registration due to COVID-19?

If you must cancel for any reason, please log back into your registration, click the “Register/Modify” button, and select “Unregister.” If you need further assistance, email at events@cncf.io. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, refunds will be issued up until Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 11:59 PM EDT and all processing fees will be waived.

How are you communicating the number of COVID-19 cases reported onsite?

We will communicate via email to all registered in-person attendees when we receive notification of the first positive case. Additional communications will be sent via email on the last day of the event and then again ten days post event.  The final number of reported cases will be included in the post-event transparency report. In the event that we receive a high number of cases reported onsite (i.e. higher than the local average) we will send an additional communication during the event.

How are you tracking COVID-19 cases onsite?

We request that attendees notify us at events@cncf.io if they test positive during the event or within ten days post event. Your personal information will be kept confidential.

What should I do if I am onsite and not feeling well?

If you aren’t feeling well, please watch for COVID-19 symptoms. Depending on your symptoms and how unwell you feel, please go to the nearest testing facility, urgent care, or hospital. Please follow the CDC guidelines on when you should seek medical attention if you are showing COVID-19 symptoms. This page will be updated shortly with on-site testing options.

What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19 while at the event?

• If you test positive for COVID-19 while on-site, please leave the event immediately and isolate.
• Notify us at events@cncf.io. If you can provide any additional details (ie what venues or rooms you were in, specific sessions etc), it will help us provide more specific information to others who may have been in contact with you onsite. Note that your personal information will be kept confidential unless you give us permission to share.
• Notify anyone that you were in close contact with.
• Follow  CDC guidelines which includes isolating for at least five (5) days. If you need medical assistance while in Detroit, view the list of medical providers. Your hotel can also assist you with room deliveries and other necessities while quarantining.

What should I do if I notice someone at the event with visible symptoms?

We do not feel that having participants ‘report’ attendees with visible symptoms (which could also be allergies, a cold, etc.) comports with the spirit of the event. We encourage our event participants to show their regard for the safety of others in the community by self-reporting any symptoms they themselves may have. The event staff will also be monitoring anything irregular onsite and handle it directly with participants as needed.

What happens if you find out that someone who was at the event tested positive for COVID-19 after the event?

We ask that anyone who participates in-person at the event and then tests positive for COVID-19 within two weeks after alert us. We will keep all personal information (including name) confidential, but we will email all event participants to alert them that someone had tested positive after the event and to watch for symptoms. 

Are all vendors and staff working the event also required to be vaccinated?

All event staff (Linux Foundation team producing the event) are vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be wearing masks onsite. All vendors (staff for companies hired to service the event such as audio/visual, catering, venue and trade show contractor staff) will be required to wear masks throughout the event, and we are making every effort to ensure all vendors are vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. In some cases, we will not be able to mandate this with vendors.

Will you be sharing my data with any local/federal government authorities?

Your information may be shared with necessary third parties to the extent required by local health requirements or regulations. However, as we are not providing medical care through the event, we currently anticipate that it is unlikely that this will be necessary.

Will the event pivot to fully virtual if the COVID-19 situation gets worse?

Because all event participants are required to be vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 and wear masks, we do not foresee any type of closure of the in-person portion of the event being necessary. We would only pivot to a fully virtual event if mandated by the local, state, or federal government or the venue. If this were to happen, we would notify all registered participants immediately.

I am a sponsor and my company needs to bring an exhibitor-appointed contractor (EAC) onsite to set up/tear down our booth. Will they also need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test?

​​Yes, all EACs will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the event space. Your sponsorship deliverables team will provide more specific details to you.

I have questions or concerns about the Health + Safety protocols. Who should I contact?

Email events@cncf.io if you have questions or concerns.