20 May 2020
For the past several weeks, our conservation partners, our farming community, and our nation have confronted unparalleled challenges due to COVID-19. On Friday, May 15th, 2020 Purdue University College of Agriculture provided an update to its policies on restrictions for in-person meetings.
CCSI will continue to follow our various Indiana Conservation Partners’ directives in an effort to continue maintain a “flattened curve” and protect the health and safety of our partners, event attendees, guest speakers, along with their families, co-workers, and communities.
CCSI will comply with all federal, state and local regulations/public safety guidelines as well as partner guidelines. CCSI-associated in-person meetings that comply with Indiana’s Back-on-Track plan (https://www.backontrack.in.gov/) may resume on July 1, 2020 for most counties.
For CCSI-associated events, starting July 1st and in consultation with local health departments:
Counties in Stage 2: in-person meetings and events with less than 25 people may be held if social distancing and other health and safety requirements are satisfied.
Counties in Stage 3: in-person meetings and events with less than 100 people may be held if social distancing guidelines and other health and safety requirements are satisfied.
Counties in Stage 4: in-person meetings and events with less than 250 people may be held if social distancing guidelines and other health and safety requirements are satisfied.
No county can reach Stage 5 before July 4. On July 4th, counties in Stage 5: in-person meetings with more than 250 people may be held if social distancing guidelines and other health and safety requirements are satisfied.
Counties may move forward or backward through Back-on-Track Stages. We will be working with our partners to develop plans to maintain attendance caps and follow social distancing guidelines along with other health and safety requirements. Although in-person meetings may be allowed at any Back-on-Track stage, we encourage the use virtual platforms to host events.
A significant portion of past CCSI event attendees are a member of an at-risk population and/or have loved ones that are a member of an at-risk population. To protect them, we encourage event planning teams to consider use of virtual options for in-person meetings to allow these individuals to participate safely. CCSI has several platforms available to assist in that process.
As we work through this ever-evolving situation, a few things that may be expected:
Social distancing of 6 feet between people, including registration lines/tables, parking lots, and seating at events.
Require all attendees to provide phone/email information in case contact tracing is required.
Provide “box meals”; no group meals or buffets.
Masks may be required by some venues and/or partner organizations. At minimum the use of face coverings will be strongly encouraged.
Provision of hand sanitizer / hand sanitizing stations.
Frequent sanitation of shared materials, tools, and equipment as well as high-contact areas.
Again, as the situation evolves, policies and guidelines will be updated.
Stay safe.
Lisa Holscher
CCSI Director
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