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Event staff

On behalf of our entire team, thank you for playing a critical role in this year’s event. Event staff members are required to review the critical information on this page before arriving onsite race week.

EVENT REQUIREMENTS

All event staff are required to provide proof of a complete COVID-19 vaccination series or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arrival onsite. Individuals unable to prove full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will not be issued an event credential which is required to support the event.

Event staff are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test regardless of vaccination status before coming onsite. Additionally, individuals may be subject to an enhanced testing program based on their event role and time on site. Individuals subject to the advanced testing program will receive an email with more information from our testing team (COVID@cemevent.com). If required to test, you should expect to receive testing instructions 48 hours before your first day on-site.

Continue reading for additional information on the event requirements

Vaccination proof

Individuals who elect to provide proof of vaccination should be prepared to display proof of vaccination in the form of an immunization record issued by a government entity or accredited healthcare facility.

Acceptable forms of proof include the original document, a photocopy, or digital image on a smartphone, tablet or other device.  The immunization record must include the name of the individual matching their government issued photo identification, the date of vaccination(s), and a serial number or batch number of the dose given.

This policy recognizes COVID-19 vaccines fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

If a person received a vaccine not approved or recognized for emergency use by the FDA or the WHO, they shall defer to the testing protocol outlined below.

 Negative COVID-19 test proof

Individuals who elect not to provide proof of vaccination should be prepared to display proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arrival onsite.

Accepted COVID-19 tests are those offered by healthcare facilities or available over the counter in pharmacies that have received Federal Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization (EUA) and include RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, lateral flow, and rapid antigen tests.

To be considered valid, all Abbott Health & Fitness Expo attendees must display a hard copy or digital copy of their test result that displays the following information:

  • Individual’s full name matching their government issued photo identification
  • Date of test administration
  • Type of test
  • Negative test result

For over-the-counter tests purchased and self-administered, individuals must register their test result in the respective app or web-based service of the testing company and utilize that to provide their result.

DO NOT bring the actual test kit or a photo of your completed test, these will not be accepted and individuals will be directed to re-test. 

All COVID-19 tests must be administered (meaning the date of sample collection) within 72 hours of arrival onsite.  Persons arriving early in race week may be required to secure a second negative test on or after Thursday October 7 in order to be cleared for race weekend activities. Individuals should ensure the testing facility can provide results in a timely manner to facilitate their participation.

Verification process

The verification process for event staff will take place upon entry into the Race Office. Upon verification of proof individuals will receive a tamper proof wristband which will act as identification at the screening process and allow entrance into event venues for the remainder of the weekend. Wristbands will be issued to vaccinated persons throughout the week, but those displaying a negative test will need to show a test result administered on or after October 7 in order to secure their weekend wristband.

The wristband must be worn continuously throughout race weekend and should not be removed.

In the event the wristband is lost or damaged, individuals should be prepared to re-present their proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

The event will not grant exceptions to the above policy unless a person has had COVID-19 within the past 90 days and provides documentation from their healthcare provider as established below.

Individuals who are unable to provide the appropriate documentation will be directed to receive a test at their own expense before being granted access to the event.

COVID-19 Status

The following are unique requirements for event attendees who have had COVID-19 within ninety days of the event.

  • Recently COVID-19 positive: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) does not recommend testing individuals who have had COVID-19 within the past 90 days. If a person tests positive for COVID-19 via a viral test on or after July 1, 2021, they should provide signed documentation from their healthcare provider exempting them from the event’s testing requirement, clearing them for participation. Documentation should include the name of their healthcare provider, address and phone number, as well as the name of the participant. Participants must provide signed documentation during the verification process at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo.
  • Currently COVID-19 positive: If a participant tests positive for COVID within 14 days of the event (on or after Monday, September 27, 2021), they should not participate in or attend the event.

Face coverings

Event staff and key volunteers are required to wear face coverings while acting in an official capacity for the event. This includes during the pre-event setup period, on active event days while with participants are present, and during the event breakdown period. Face coverings must be two-ply at a minimum and cover the mouth and nose securely. Single-ply neck gaiters and face shields are not acceptable face coverings.

 Face coverings may be removed at the following times:

  • While working completely alone outdoors on non-event days. Face coverings should be replaced if another person enters the space.
  • Temporarily to eat or drink.
  • While in a private vehicle alone or with hotel roommates.
  • In the confines of a hotel room or other room within an event housing facility.
  • To verify identity to security personnel.

Staff should continue face covering use before and after their shift while transiting to and from the event, shopping, dining and performing other non-event activities to minimize the risk of introducing COVID-19 into the event staff community.

Conduct & Site Safety

All persons are accountable for their own individual actions and behavior prior to the event and while acting in an official capacity during the active event period. Failure to follow these policies and guidelines may result in suspension or dismissal from event roles and responsibilities, and could result in termination of employment or contract.

To keep each other safe and protect the event, event organizers will enforce the following rules and guidelines during the active event period:

  • COHORTS: Event staff will be in mostly consistent cohorts with their roommates and working partners. Staff should make best efforts to minimize close contact outside their cohort and be mindful of the potential impact that social gatherings have on contact tracing.
  • OFF-PREMISE ACTIVITIES: Event staff and key volunteers are asked to exercise caution when participating in non-event activities in the weeks leading up to and during the event. Dining indoors in large congregate settings, not using masks in crowded groups, or close, unmasked interactions with others increase risk of becoming infected and jeopardizing your participation in the event or the event overall.
    • Please limit dining to meals served at event facilities, in official staff housing, or if at a restaurant– staff should eat outdoors.
    • Group sizes at bars and other social gatherings should be limited and held outdoors.
    • Minimize crossover in vehicles and other confined areas with people outside your hotel room.
  • SELF REPORTING: If a staff member does not feel well or suspects symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they should not come to work and should contact their manager to be directed to the appropriate testing facility.

MEALS

The event will provide meals to those who are working race week in Grant Park from Thursday through Sunday and at Packet Pick-up on Friday and Saturday. If you are working onsite during days meals are provided, and you forgo the provided meal, you will not be eligible to receive reimbursement. If your role requires you to be onsite during a time when meals are not provided or you have food allergies, please contact eventstaff@cemevent.com.

TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE RELIEF POLICY

The transportation expense relief policy is designed to provide fair reimbursement for transportation. Per scheduled day of work, event staff and key volunteers are eligible to receive complimentary parking OR reimbursement of up to $20 to cover the cost of public transportation or taxis. If you are driving, you must utilize the event provided parking options, other parking expenses will not be reimbursed. The event provided parking options are McCormick Place Parking Lot A for Packet Pick-up and Millennium Garages for Grant Park and the Hilton Chicago. You will be provided a parking voucher at check-in for the use of Millennium Garages and reimbursed post event for McCormick.

To be reimbursed for public transportation or taxis, you must submit receipts via the transportation reimbursement request form by Friday, October 15.

EVENT ALERT SYSTEM

The color-coded Event Alert System (EAS) will communicate the status of event conditions to participants, spectators, volunteers and event staff leading up to and throughout race weekend. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based on a variety of factors, including weather conditions. The EAS level will be communicated in race week email communications, as well as at chicagomarathon.com. For more information on the Event Alert System, visit: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/runners/rules-safety/.

JOIN OUR SOCIAL COMMUNITY

Get the latest race news, motivational tips and inspiration by liking the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Facebook and by following us on Instagram and Twitter @ChiMarathon. Share your race experience by tagging your posts with #ChicagoMarathon and #MyChicagoMarathon.

As a safety and security measure, we ask that you do not share photos of your event issued credential on social media. While we encourage to share your experience with your friends and family, we do not want this to interfere with your race role.