GAC-MAC 2021 hybrid meeting postponed to Nov 1-5, 2021
Dear GAC-MAC community,
As you are aware, the 2021 annual GAC-MAC meeting is being hosted by the Department of Earth Sciences at Western University, London, Ontario. The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and has been constantly adapting and evolving plans.
Ontario has recently moved into a State of Emergency and the number of COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising across the country, and internationally. Given this situation, the GAC-MAC 2021 LOC has made the difficult decision to postpone the meeting to November 1-5, 2021. With the goal of the government to have all Canadians vaccinated by September, the goal of the LOC is to offer a GAC-MAC meeting with the traditional in-person focus – providing opportunities for networking, informal discussion and feedback, and social events – but still with the option for virtual presentations and participation.
Please check the GAC-MAC 2021 website (www.gacmac2021.ca) for new abstract submission and registration dates, and other information pertaining to the rescheduled annual meeting.
GAC-MAC London 2021 LOC
In-Person Attendance Requirements for Participation at GAC-MAC London 2021
The University is committed to providing members of the University community, including students, employees and visitors, with a safe and healthy work and learning environment consistent with its legislative obligations. Throughout the pandemic, the University has sought to do so by implementing health and safety protocols and policies based on the advice and recommendations from the provincial government, the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Middlesex-London Health Unit. Additional information can be found by visiting Western COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Visitors to Campus procedures.
Procedures for In-Person GAC-MAC Participation
Verification of Requirements will take place at the GAC-MAC Registration Desk
1. Complete a daily symptom check (i.e. personal health attestation) through the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 self-assessment at https://covid19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/;
2. Provide Proof of Vaccination or proof of medical exemption;
3. Agree to and comply with the University’s safety measures at https://www.uwo.ca/coronavirus/health-safety/index.html ; and
4. Comply with applicable provincial, local and University health and safety protocols – including quarantine requirements.
Before coming to campus
- If feeling unwell, stay home.
- Complete the Ontario Public Health self-assessment questionnaire https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
- Symptoms of COVID-19 include, but are not limited to: cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, painful swallowing, headache, chills, muscle or joint aches, feeling unwell in general, new fatigue or severe exhaustion, gastrointestinal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained loss of appetite), loss of sense of smell or taste, or pink eye. Stay up to date on the symptoms related to COVID-19 by visiting https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread#section-0
Once on campus
- Practice physical distancing. When possible, stay two metres apart.
- Wear a three-layer non-medical mask . This is required when in the presence of others and in common and shared spaces on campus.
- Wash hands thoroughly and often and avoid touching your face.
- Disinfect your work area, equipment and tools frequently.
- Wear gloves when delivering or removing items from campus locations.
- Please visit https://www.uwo.ca/coronavirus/health-safety.html to learn about the steps that Western is taking to keep our campus community safe.