Nov 29, 2021
Vaccine verification plan in place for Washington state event  

By order of the governor, all attendees 12 years of age and older attending the 2021 Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting Dec. 6-8, 2021, at the Yakima Convention Center and Yakima Valley SunDome State Fair Parkwill, need to be verified by providing proof of vaccination or proof of an FDA-approved negative COVID-19 test taken within three days before the event.

The Hort Expo (Convention Center Hallways and Sundome with vendor booths) is not a ticketed event and is open to the public, so is not subject to this requirement.

Attendees under 12 years of age are exempt from providing proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Attendees can meet this requirement by showing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (taken within 72 hours of the event), to WSTFA designated staff or volunteers at the Yakima Convention Center. WSTFA designated staff or volunteers will stamp your hand once verified and attendee can proceed to registration.

If you are planning to get a COVID-19 test, getting tested prior to the meeting is preferred. However, Medical Teams International will be providing free onsite testing located in Conference Room J on Monday December 6th and Conference Room B on Tuesday, December 8th.  Results will be available in fifteen minutes, but their capacity will be limited, thus wait times may exceed an hour, so plan accordingly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q:  How can I avoid the Monday morning long lines to get my registration?
A: Come to the Yakima Convention Center on Sunday, December 5th from 2pm-6pm for pre-registration pick-up.  All attendees who pick-up their registrations will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

Q: What are the approved documents to prove vaccination status?
A: CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card or photo of the card; Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or electronic health record;
State immunization information system record;
If vaccinated outside of the U.S., a reasonable equivalent of any of the above will suffice

Q: Do I have to show government issued I.D. along with my proof of vaccination or negative test result?
A: No, that is specifically not required in the Governors Order.  We are aware that some people were vaccinated under different names for privacy or immigration status reasons.

Q: What kind of test do guests need to provide to prove they have tested negative for COVID-19?
A: Attendees will need to provide a copy (physical or photo) of a COVID-19 negative PCR or antigen test result that is FDA approved and taken within three days of the start of the event. At-home tests will not be accepted.

Q: If an attendee has already tested positive for COVID-19, do they need to provide vaccine verification, or a negative COVID-19 test?
A: Yes, attendees that have already had COVID-19 still need to provide either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of the start of the event.

Q: Do I have to be fully vaccinated?
A: Yes. Attendees must be fully vaccinated to attend the Annual Meeting. Fully vaccinated is defined as a minimum of two weeks following the second dose of their vaccine regimen.

Q: Can I still attend the Annual Meeting if I’m partially vaccinated?
A: Attendees who are not yet vaccinated, have only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna), or are not yet beyond the two-week minimum fully vaccinated window, must still provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days for entry.

Q: Do I need to bring my actual vaccine card?
A: In addition to your official CDC-issued (or foreign country equivalent) vaccination card, a photo or digital version of your official CDC-issued (or foreign country equivalent) vaccination card with your name and dates of doses, including the date the last dose was administered printed on the card, will also be accepted. If you cannot find your card and were vaccinated in Washington state, you can find instructions for downloading it on the Washington Department of Health website.

Q: What is the mask policy at the Annual Meeting?
A: In accordance with the current Washington state mask mandates, attendees, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks at all times within the Yakima Convention Center except while actively eating or drinking.

Q: Where can I get a COVID-19 test?
A: Medical Teams International will be providing onsite testing located in Conference Room J on Monday December 6th and Conference Room B on Tuesday, December 8thClick here to find COVID-19 testing sites throughout Washington state.

Q: Will international proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test be accepted?
A: Yes, international proof of being fully vaccinated or providing a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of the event will be sufficient.

Q: Will there be a live streaming option?
A: Yes, those who register for the Annual Meeting can request streaming links to participate remotely. Contact Joanne Rouse, [email protected], for login information. There is no discounted registration for stream educational content.




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