Health and Safety Policy

IASP is focused on ensuring a safe and productive World Congress on Pain.

IASP is currently monitoring the status of COVID-19 and how it may impact our event.  While IASP is currently anticipating a regular in person event, if conditions change and warrant a reduced in-person event, or fully online event, or if restrictions may be safely revised prior to World Congress, we will inform the IASP community as soon as possible. Regardless of changes, IASP strongly encourages all attendees to remain masked during congress for the safety of all those present.

Each Congress venue and event will have specific requirements in order to safely protect guests and staff. Please review event specific guidelines and protocols provided by event host. Such guidelines and protocols are subject to change and attendees should review requirements before attending any venue or event.

IASP reserves the right to amend this Health and Safety Policy and COVID-19 Update based upon pertinent changes.

IASP COVID-19 Policy:

After more than two years of living with COVID-19, we are excited that the IASP World Congress on Pain is dedicated to bringing the community together with the best possible conference experience in person.

Masks are recommended in all indoor IASP World Congress on Pain spaces. Attendees may remove their masks while eating and drinking, presenting at podiums or on stage, or spending time in any of the convention center’s outdoor spaces. We will have some masks made available at the Registration Desk and throughout the convention center, as will hand sanitizing stations.

IASP World Congress on Pain will enforce its Be Well policy which is required consent during registration by all participants as a condition of onsite participation. This includes the stipulation that if you feel sick or are experiencing COVID-like symptoms prior to traveling to or while onsite in Toronto you will reconsider your participation at the event. 

To help ensure your personal safety and comfort during IASP World Congress on Pain, our team is committed to robust and transparent communications during the event. We encourage all participants to download the app to their mobile devices to receive up-to-the-minute updates. 

The health and safety of the IASP World Congress on Pain community—participants and volunteers alike—remains a top priority. With a focus on coming together safely this September, we will be implementing the safety protocols below for all in-person attendees. 

Face Coverings: We are recommending all people attending indoor events at the conference to wear masks. We will continue to follow the most current health and safety guidelines. 

Social Distancing: Space planning in all meeting rooms will include social distancing.  

Hygiene: Masks and hand sanitizer will be readily available in the convention center. 

IASP World Congress on Pain may enforce additional requirements, particularly to align with local health and safety guidelines for masking and social distancing at the time of the meeting. 

We will continue to closely monitor specific travel advisories through official channels, which include the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as safety guidelines at the local and state levels. 

Before traveling to the conference, we recommend that you stay informed of any information your local health agencies may make available and take reasonable precautions to protect yourself. IASP World Congress on Pain continues to closely monitor this dynamic situation and will provide updates with any developments and reserves the right to make changes as needed. 

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Liability Waver

By attending Congress, you voluntarily assume and accept sole responsibility for all risks related to the exposure to COVID-19, including but not limited to illness, injury, disability, and death, and agree that you will not hold IASP or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, agents or employees liable for any illness, personal injury or death that may result. On behalf of yourself, your dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, you further waive and release IASP and its employees, affiliates, and agents from any and all claims for liability related to COVID-19. You further agree to abide by all applicable federal, and local laws, regulations, rules, and ordinances in effect during your attendance and all of the rules and regulations that may be stipulated by the Congress location and IASP.

You further understand that IASP does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability benefits or insurance. I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of IASP in the event of injury, illness, or medical expenses incurred by me in connection with my attendance at the Congress.

IASP aims to deliver the highest levels of hygiene and safety at our events, providing our community reassurance and confidence that they are participating in a safe and controlled environment. We have collaborated with association partners and relevant authorities to develop health and safety standards for Congress attendees. A detailed health and safety plan will be made available in early 2022 based on official government and local authority guidelines, as well as any venue or location specific regulations for reference as you plan your attendance at IASP’s World Congress on Pain in Toronto in September 2022.

Resources

IASP has assembled this list of resources to assist you with your travel and safety inquires:

If you are traveling outside of the continental U.S., please review these materials and note the requirements and restrictions that may impact your plans.