2022 Games for Change Festival Health & Safety Policy

Games for Change maintains the health and safety of our community as a top priority. This includes considerations for our event attendees, partners, speakers, employees, and volunteers. The 2022 Games for Change Festival will follow the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommendations related to large public gatherings and general safety guidelines published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization.

Below outlines a full COVID-19 policy for the Festival and other activations. This policy is a living document and may be updated if regulations and recommendations change. By purchasing an in-person ticket for the event, you are representing that you meet the requirements of and will strictly comply with this COVID-19 policy.

What are the health & safety requirements to attend the G4C Festival?

• Attendees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including a booster shot (if eligible), no later than July 1st, 2022.
• Attendees must be able to present proof of COVID-19 vaccinations (physical vaccine card or digital) and a government-issued photo ID at badge pick-up.
• Attendees must be able to wear a face mask while attending our event. Proper mask etiquette will be enforced.
• Minors are not exempt from the vaccination and masking requirements (unless such minors are not eligible to be vaccinated), and youth under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or teacher. 
• If you are not feeling well or have a fever, please stay home.

If during or within five days following the event you discover that you have tested positive for COVID-19, you will (i) not attend any further events in person, (ii) notify us at [email protected], and cooperate with any contact tracing protocols that we may implement, and (iii) follow applicable CDC and local guidance.

Are there any exemptions to the masking requirements?

For the safety of all in attendance, we require the use of masks for everyone. Mesh masks, see-through masks, gaiters, and bandanas will not be accepted. Once inside, proper mask etiquette will be enforced at all times, and must be properly worn unless actively eating or drinking. Speakers may be permitted to remove masks during presentations provided that social distancing can be maintained. 

Are there any exemptions to vaccination requirements?

If you wish to request a vaccine exemption or have additional questions, please contact [email protected]. Medical exemptions must be approved before July 1st, and those seeking medical exemptions will need a signed note from a licensed physician describing why an exemption is needed. For safety, those seeking exemptions must also produce, for each day of attendance, a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of attending the event, or a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken up to 6 hours to the event at an official testing site.  If you attend multiple days of the event, you must be able to produce a negative test for each day of attendance. We will not accept at home tests!

While we are required to accept this limited exemption, we strongly encourage individuals not to attend without the proper vaccinations for their safety. If you are not feeling well or have a fever, please stay home.

What else is G4C doing to maximize attendee safety?

COVID-19 safety extends beyond masks and vaccinations. In addition to the requirements for attendance, we will also have:

• A Head of COVID compliance to enforce policies.
• Contact areas of the event space are sanitized regularly, including arcades and VR headsets.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the venue.

Please remember that these precautions only minimize the risk of COVID-19 –  they do not eliminate it. Every person should evaluate their health and risk factors before attending the event.

Games for Change reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or move to a virtual event if it becomes too unsafe to hold in person. If the event is canceled or moved online, refunds will be issued.

Failure to comply with the Health & Safety requirements for the event will result in forfeiture of in-person attendance and you will not receive a refund. If you have any other questions about these policies, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Guidelines updated as of June 9th, 2022