Mandates related to COVID-19 are continuing to update around the world, and the Community Team’s COVID-19 requirements are updating with them. These new guidelines apply to all official WordPress events, meaning WordCamps, WordPress meetups in the chapter program, do_action events, and Open Source 101 workshops.
For organizers
- Follow all local regulations. These continue to change, so please ensure you have the latest information, especially as you get closer to the event. Further, if your local hospitals are overwhelmed, please cancel, postpone, or move the event online.
- Provide masks and hand sanitizer around the venue space (WPCS will cover this cost if it is not provided by your venue).
- As part of swag packs, WPCS will provide a sticker to indicate to others to please wear a mask when talking with you.
If legally permissible in the area, organizers can certainly opt to have more security measures for their event, like mandatory masks and checks for proof of vaccine or negative tests at the door. Of course, organizing events online will continue to be an option.
For attendees
These are strong recommendations for attendees. Organizers can help by confirming that these recommendations comply with local rules and regulations.
- We still recommend that you wear a mask while at in-person WordPress events.
- If you see that someone is wearing a sticker requesting people wear a mask near them, please wear a mask while within 6 feet (2 meters) of them or keep your distance.
- A request that you only attend in-person if you are vaccinated or have recently tested negative.
- Please stay at home if you are sick or have recently come in contact with someone who is ill.
These reminders will be added to WordCamp ticket purchase pages.
In the coming days, the Community team will update handbook pages with these changes. After years of evolving guidance around COVID-19, my deep hope is that these guidelines will have some lasting power and help in-person WordPress community events come back safely and comfortably.
A note on upcoming flagship events
As flagship events are larger and draw an international crowd, both WordCamp Europe and WordCamp US organizers were asked to view these as minimum requirements and are expected to have a more comprehensive plan in place.
WordCamp Europe will be following the guidelines of the Portuguese authorities and masks will be required indoors. The attendee registration will be spread out (at the venue of the speakers dinner and at the venue itself) and they will make use of registration booths (self service). Hand sanitisers will be available and some activities, such as WP Cafe, will be outdoors.
WordCamp US will be following the guidelines of the San Diego authorities. Along with those guidelines, we will require all attendees to be vaccinated or have recently tested negative. Additionally, due to the size and nature of this event, masks will be required to be worn over both the mouth and nose while indoors. Hand sanitizer and masks will also be available and some activities, such as lunch, will be outdoors.
Questions or feedback
If you have questions or feedback about these latest updates to the Community team’s COVID-19 related guidelines for events, please share in the comments below.