Health and Safety

The Health and Safety policies for NWMUN-Seattle were changed for the November 2023 conference. They are reprinted below because they will be the default policy for NWMUN-Portland 2024, unless changed by the NWA Board of Directors between November 20, 2023-February 15, 2024.

For NWMUN-Seattle 2023, the Health and Safety protocols have been adjusted in light of three factors:

• The continuation and evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic

• The success of NWMUN's policy, for the last four conferences, of collecting vaccination mandate data from attending delegations, and data showing that the overwhelming majority (80+%) of colleges/universities attending the conference have a vaccination mandate in place (and that NWMUN attendees from these colleges have had their vaccinations verified by their college or university)

• Increased concern around non-COVID diseases, in particular the flu.

As a result, NWMUN-Seattle 2023 will be loosening its vaccination policy relative to previous years, while maintaining its mask policy. This will be the default policy for NWMUN-Portland 2024, unless changed by the NWA Board of Directors between November 20, 2023-February 15, 2024.

Self-Assessment and Voluntary Non-Attendance:

• Any individual planning to attend NWMUN-Seattle 2023 should following World Health Organization guidance, and stay home if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

• Similarly, any individual planning to attend NWMUN-Seattle 2023 should stay home if showing symptoms of the flu (CDC) or any other communicable disease.

Mask policy:

• Mask usage will be required at all times while on the floors of the hotel where the conference is taking place, and is suggested for the duration of time attendees are at the conference (including in the lobby, hotel rooms, etc.) Masks may be removed by speakers, at their discretion, while giving a speech.

• Masks may be lowered to take a drink. Masks may be removed while eating during breaks.

• The NWMUN-Seattle Executive Secretariat and NWA Board of Directors have determined that a social event can occur, modified into a Delegate Lounge, with adapted Health and Safety protocols. At the Delegate Lounge, masks are strongly encouraged but not required in any way. (This applies as well to head delegates and faculty attending the Leadership Reception.)

Vaccination policy:

• NWMUN-Seattle 2023 does not require vaccines to attend. However, we do strongly encourage that attendees receive the full course of vaccines for COVID-19, including applicable boosters, as well as the annual flu shot, by November 2, 2023 (to allow for the full extent of the immunity provided by the vaccines before people begin gathering at the hotel for the conference).