COVID
covid policies now updated for 2025.
note: this section is subject to change the most in the months leading up to the con. please check in regularly, or subscribe to our newsletter to get updates in your inbox.
a note from the producers:
y'all, we're listening. we know that staying safe and protecting our community matters as much to you as it does to us. we know that some of you are tired, as tired as we are that this fcked up virus is still affecting our communities. we know that some of you are nervous, as nervous as we are about what it looks like to balance the vast and varied needs of each of us.
our COVID policy has never been easy to draft up. we've get messages from all sides, and we know that whatever we decide, it's going to make some people unhappy. we try our best to balance community safety with putting on the kind of event we wanted to see in the world. while we can't manage virtual attendance at this year's con, in the future, we're looking at doing more virtual classes and play parties, so that folks whose risk profiles don't align with this in-person event can still have some unabashed joy.
our 2025 COVID policy is as follows:
--Each attendee will be required to rapid test three times: once each day - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - ahead of entrance to the con. BRING YOUR NEGATIVE TEST to the con each day to check in. We ask that if any of these are positive, you do not attend - and you let us know so we can get you sorted. We also encourage you to test before the con if you feel unwell, especially if you intend to travel.
--Masks will be required at unabashed, except in outdoor spaces, while presenting/demoing, while eating, and while actively playing as needs must. The doors to the outside will be open to encourage airflow. We understand that some people cannot wear masks, and we are asking that folks be cool about people who need this accommodation. We encourage you to bring your own masks, but we will have some masks and large bottles of hand sanitizer available at the main door. we are also encouraging those of you traveling to the event to mask in airports/on flights and on other forms of public transit.
--We're asking - but not requiring - that folks consider getting the latest COVID booster. we know there are barriers to healthcare in our community. we remember last year that some insurances hadn't yet added it to their list AND that getting it for free or low-cost required folks to deal with arcane social systems. so our guidance for 2025 is: previous vaccinations + boosters do provide some protection - though not a ton - from the of the most recent strains. If you can get boosted, please do get boosted to help those who can't.
--We're asking that you consider testing after the event, especially if you feel unwell after the event. many cases right now are asymptomatic or don’t show many symptoms - and the average length of time we’ve noticed before a positive test is 6-7 days rather than 5. If you test positive for COVID, we'll keep you anonymous, but let folks know what sessions you attended so that they can follow up in ways that feel best for them.
If you aren't satisfied with these precautions and already have a ticket, let us know - we'll get you taken care of. Thank you for your boundaries, your love, your care, and your you-ness.
<3, the unabashed team
what’s your COVID booster policy?
COVID boosters might be released by the time of the conference, but they likely will not be available enough to provide folks with a full two-week efficacy period. we are encouraging everyone to get boosted if you can, but boosters are not required for this year’s unabashed.
what’s your mask policy?
we understand that COVID is still among us.
because of this we are requiring masking at the con except in outdoor spaces, while presenting/demoing, while eating, and while actively playing as needs must.
the main doors to the outside will be open as much as possible to encourage airflow. we understand that some people cannot wear masks, and we are asking that folks be cool about people who need this accommodation.
please note that we will comply with all CDC, state, county, and city guidelines, up to and including masking at all times while indoors, proof of negative COVID test before the event, and/or negative rapid test before entry.
what’s your COVID testing policy?
because COVID seems to be taking longer to appear on rapid tests, we believe we will best be able to identify cases at the con itself. we are requiring that people take rapid tests every day of the con before their arrival, showing the negative test at registration every day. this means you will need three rapid tests for the con.
we are also encouraging people to test if they feel unwell at all before the con. symptoms for these latest strains can be as mild as allergies. if you have a positive test result within two weeks of the con or just ahead of the con, we ask that you do not attend. if that happens, please email us to discuss your options.
please note that we will comply with all CDC, state, county, and city guidelines, up to and including masking at all times while indoors, proof of negative COVID test before the event, and/or negative rapid test before entry. thank you for understanding as we try to keep our community as safe as possible. <3