Updated on October 10, 2023

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COVID-19 Policies and Recommendations

Now that COVID-19 has entered an endemic phase, we are excited to announce that MVICW will be returning to the island for our annual summer conference. In an effort to minimize the potential spread of COVID and to ensure the safest possible in-person conference for both our attendees and the larger island community, we will continue core health and safety measures. Individuals should follow regulations and make informed choices about travel and engagement with onsite activities and external venues while in Massachusetts. Individuals should also consult their healthcare provider and consider their risks and the risks of those they spend time with when determining which discretionary measures are most helpful for them.

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All of MVICW’s event and lodging spaces are mask friendly and mask optional. We recommend bringing a mask with you to the island. Masks will also be available at all event spaces.

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Testing is a helpful tool for preventing the spread of illness. We will be offering tests on check-in, and tests will continue to be available for the duration of the conference. We encourage all attendees to test regularly.  

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Please note:

• Individuals agree not to travel to Martha’s Vineyard/MVICW if they test positive for COVID-19 or are symptomatic.

• Once on island, MVICW attendees agree to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms during the conference. 

• Anyone who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms while onsite will be required to take a provided rapid test.

• Anyone who contracts COVID-19 while onsite (confirmed by a positive antigen test) will need to leave the MVICW lodging and will not be able to attend events for their own health and for the safety of others. Individuals will receive a prorated refund for their registration and lodging fees as a means to help with immediate relocation.

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COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended and all attendees are encouraged to follow CDC guidance and stay up-to-date on their vaccinations.  Individuals who discover that they have COVID-19 in the time leading up to the conference should follow CDC guidance around seeking treatment and isolation. We require for the safety of others and yourself that you do not attend the conference if you are testing positive for COVID-19 and that you notify us immediately. Anyone testing positive upon arrival to MVICW will not be admitted to the conference or MVICW lodging and will need to arrange alternate housing on the island. In the event we are able to offer a full refund, it may take up to three weeks to receive a credit in your account.

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Attendees should be aware that housing is shared. Many MVICW rooms are doubles and triples. Bathrooms are shared by floor. Single rooms are limited, so participants who would like to be guaranteed a single room should register for one here. Participants may also choose to stay off-site and pay for registration only. A list of hotels and other accommodations can be found at the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce website. Other resources include Craigslist, AirBnB, and VRBO. Please note that certain off-site lodging may require a vehicle in order to commute to the event spaces in Edgartown.

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Liability Waiver

While we at MVICW are doing all we can to reduce risk for onsite attendance, MVICW cannot guarantee there is no risk of contracting COVID-19 while attending the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference. All in-person attendees must agree to the following liability waiver, included in our registration Terms & Conditions.

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​Attendee assumes all risks and accepts sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to: personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense of any kind that attendee may experience or incur in connection with attending the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference. Attendee hereby releases, covenants not to sue, discharges, and holds harmless the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference, its employees, attendees, agents, and representatives, of and from any such claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.

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​Specifically relating to the global COVID-19 endemic, the attendee acknowledges the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assumes the risk of exposure or infection by attending the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, disability, and/or death to attendee. Attendee understands the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others who may attend the event or their families, colleagues, or others with whom they may have contact. Accordingly, attendee understands and agrees that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions or negligence of the MVICW, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference.

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​In addition to all other rules and regulations relating to the attendee’s attendance at the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference, the attendee agrees to comply with all COVID-related procedures that may be implemented by MVICW, the Vineyard Arts Project, and the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, including, but not limited to, mask-wearing and social distancing requirements and restrictions on certain activities that carry higher COVID-related risk, in order to protect as much as possible the health and safety of all conference attendees.

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