COVID-19 ADVICE

BSP2022AC is an in-person and online event hosted at the University of Exeter, UK, over three days from 30 September to 1 September 2022. The event takes place in the wake of lockdowns with the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, where current UK policy is outlined in the UK Government “Living with COVID-19” legislation, the basic tenet of which is the removal of all legal restrictions while protecting people most vulnerable to Covid-19 and maintaining resilience. In this context, please see the advice below to people attending BSP2022AC in person.

People who are at risk of serious illness from COVID-19

People who are at a greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19, for example people who have a weakened immune system, are not recommended to travel to or attend the event in person. We have online attendance for those wishing to attend the event virtually. 

Vaccines and boosters

While there is no legal requirement, we encourage people planning to attend the event at the venue to be up to date with Covid-19 vaccines and boosters.

The week before the event: testing

Where possible, we ask venue attendees to take a Covid-19 Rapid/Antigen test twice in the week before attending the conference, with the second test completed within 48 hours of travelling to Exeter. In the UK, you are no longer legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid-19. However, the BSP and the University of Exeter request that you do not attend the campus if you test positive for Covid-19 or feel unwell (including sneezing, coughing, sore throat and fever). If you do, please stay at your home or accommodation and avoid close contact with other people for 5 days, if possible. You can attend the conference online. Please get in touch if you need assistance.

People showing the symptoms of Covid-19

People showing the symptoms of Covid-19 – even if they have not tested positive – are requested by the BSP and University of Exeter to not attend the event in person, but rather attend online.

Getting to the event

People travelling internationally and within the UK on mass and public transport should follow the Covid-19 advice given by their carriers. 

While at the event

• Mask-wearing has been shown to reduce Covid-19 transmission. This is one important way we can all reduce the risk of infections at the event, and ensure attendance is accessible for as many people as possible. If you are able to do so, we strongly encourage all venue attendees wear a face covering (such as a mask or N95 respirator) - particularly in indoor settings. Please bring your own face coverings to the event; some additional surgical masks will be made available at the reception desk.

• Cleaning happens a few times throughout the day in all communal spaces, but attendees should ensure good hand hygiene at the event through hand washing and use of hand sanitisers. There are lots of ‘sanitisation stations’ around the building – outside the rooms and lecture theatres; and there will be hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the venue.

• For speakers using microphones, each location has a large tub with anti-bacteria wipes, we recommend that the microphones are wiped over after each use.

• If you become ill or begin to show the symptoms of COVID-19, you should leave the venue immediately, and return home or to your accommodation. You should also inform the organisers as soon as you are safe to do so. You can attend the rest of the conference online; and speakers who have not yet presented can present their papers online – please get in contact with the organisers as soon as possible so we can arrange online presentation. 

• If the in-person element of the event is deemed to be at risk of a mass-breakout of Covid-19, the organisers will move the event online for all attendees.

Following the event

Following the event, twice weekly tests should be completed. You are no longer legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. We still recommend that you stay at home and avoid close contact with other people for 5 days, if possible.