Version: 27 Nov 2021
Current Regulations for California Venues
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) last updated guidelines on 28 October.
- Vaccinations — Effective 01 December 2021, California regulations will require proof of vaccination or a pre-entry negative COVID 19 test for attendees age 18 and older for indoor events with 1,000 or more people. An individual must provide identification confirming he/she is the person presenting proof and entering the venue.
- Masks — California requires that all unvaccinated individuals wear masks and encourages vaccinated individuals to wear masks in indoor settings. Masks are required for everyone using public transit.
- Travel Requirements — No current travel advisory or quarantine requirements issued by the state of California.
Note: On 25 October 2021, the White House announced a Presidential Proclamation that takes effect on 08 November 2021. Any adult foreign national traveler that is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed entry into the United States. Visa applications can be processed as of 08 November for individuals physically present in affected countries.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/safely-resuming-travel-by-vaccine-requirement-and-rescission-of-travel-restrictions.html
Health and Safety Guidelines
To help you make an informed decision about attending the 2022 Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC), we want you to know what precautions are planned to mitigate risk at the meeting venue.
This page includes current OFC protocols and guidelines. Continue to reference this page for current information.
Our Commitment
OFC Management is actively monitoring health and safety guidelines issued at the US Federal, California/San Diego local and venue levels. We promise to:
- Monitor current protocols as determined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Adhere to orders and mask guidance as set forth by the California Department of Health.
- Work with the San Diego Convention Center and associated partners to ensure a safe and clean environment both in meeting-rooms, the exhibit hall and public spaces.
- In addition, all OFC Management staff supporting the event onsite will be fully vaccinated, and staff representing official OFC vendors will be fully vaccinated or wear masks.
Be Prepared
As an in-person participant, you also play an important role to ensure the health and safety of all attendees.
In Advance of the Conference
- Get fully vaccinated! Bring proof of vaccination with you. The accepted threshold for being fully vaccinated is two weeks after the final dose.
- Several countries have authorized booster shots for those with compromised immune systems or other criteria (e.g., age). If you are eligible, get your booster vaccination at least two weeks before attending. US residents: review eligibility for vaccine booster shots.
- Plan ahead. Use the US State Department website to understand any travel restrictions in place from your originating country of departure.
- Get the right information. Daily updates with information on case rates and vaccination coverage are issued by the California Department of Health and locally by San Diego County.
- Be prepared. When packing for travel, please bring a sufficient supply of masks, hand sanitizer and other items you need to feel protected.
- Be patient. Guidelines and recommendations change frequently, and OFC Management will respond and react quickly to those changes.
Onsite
- Carry identification and proof of vaccination status or pre-entry negative COVID-19 test with you.
- Follow California Department of Public Health guidance that recommends everyone wear a face covering in indoor public settings, whether you have been vaccinated or not.
- Please do not attend sessions, events or the exhibition if you are not feeling well. OFC will be presented in a hybrid format, which means many technical programs will be available live and online.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Be mindful of other attendees' comfort levels and act accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will vaccines be required to participate in the OFC conference?
A. Beginning 01 December 2021, attendees of conferences and exhibitions in California must provide verification of vaccination or pre-entry negative COVID-19 test result. Picture identification will be required to verify you are the individual providing proof and entering the venue.
Q. Will masks be required at the conference?
A. As of 28 July 2021, the California Department of Public Health indicated that masks are required of all unvaccinated individuals, and requested of all individuals in indoor settings. As this guidance is re-evaluated, additional information will be posted here.
Q. Will speakers be required to participate in-person?
A. While onsite participation is encouraged as the optimal way to engage with the audience and peers, speakers may have the option to present during a Technical Session virtually. If presenting virtually, speakers can present live or submit a pre-recorded video. Speakers are encouraged to participate in live Q&A during the Technical Session even if they submit video recordings. Speakers must present their accepted paper(s) and register to attend the conference in order to have the paper(s) published in IEEE Xplore and on the Optica Publishing Group platform.
Q. What are the registration rates for on-site and virtual participation?
A. See the Registration section of this web site.
Q. Do you have contingency plans if in-person events are limited or cancelled when OFC is scheduled to take place?
A. OFC Management will continue to monitor health and safety recommendations of government officials. Any necessary adjustments will be made to the Technical Conference and Exhibition to ensure a safe environment for all participants. We commit to providing consistent and current information on the conference website.
Q. I have specific questions that are not addressed here. Who can help me?
A. Please contact custserv@optica.org. Exhibitor questions should be addressed to exhibits@ofcconference.org.