Kumoricon COVID-19 Safety Update

Posted September 17, 2021

Last updated October 29, 2021

You are currently viewing the COVID-19 safety page for Kumoricon 2021, an older convention year. Visit our Kumoricon 2022 COVID-19 safety page for the most up-to-date information.

As a convention that focuses heavily on our attendees, we have been working hard to make Kumoricon 2021 the safest event for everyone. After much deliberation, we are ready to announce our COVID-19 safety precautions so you can prepare for our event. We are adding the following requirements to our Code of Conduct:

  • All attendees age 12 and over must provide either proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or proof of a negative test. All attendees ages 6 to 11 must provide proof of a negative test. Verification will be conducted on site.
    • If you are using a PCR test, then it must be taken on or after Tuesday, November 2. A negative result will be considered valid for the entire convention.
    • If you are using a rapid (antigen) test, then a negative result is considered valid for 3 full days following the test date. (For example, a negative test taken on Thursday will permit being at the event on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.) A test must be re-taken during the convention if a rapid (antigen) test's 3-day validity window expires before the end of the event.
  • All attendees age 2 and over must wear facial coverings in convention space, except in designated eating areas while eating or drinking.
  • Facial coverings must completely cover the nose and mouth, and must attach to the head with a strap. Facial coverings that are not allowed include (but are not limited to): any masks with an exhalation valve, bandanas, mesh materials, masks with excessive holes or damage, face shields without a mask, and neck gaiters.
  • Facial coverings must be visible. Attendees may not wear a costume that prevents anyone from seeing that the facial covering requirement is being followed (such as a helmet or head covering).
  • The facial covering requirement applies in all locations in the Oregon Convention Center, and in all event rooms and event hallways for any programming in the Hyatt. The only exceptions are in designated eating areas while eating or drinking, and while presenting or performing for any officially-run event where the written rules for that event allow for an exception.

Our safety precautions are an ongoing conversation involving our venue, local guidance, and the conditions of the pandemic. Our requirements are subject to change up until the convention. Our COVID-19 Safety page and our Code of Conduct will always reflect the latest information.

COVID-19 testing locations

A vaccine is the best step you can take to keep yourself and everyone else safe at the convention, and is the most reliable way to get through our doors.

A PCR test is the next best thing if you are unable to be vaccinated by con. There are many places where you can get this for free!

A rapid (antigen) test is an acceptable fallback if your PCR test does not arrive in time. Free PCR (and rapid antigen) testing is available at multiple locations.

  • The following locations accept walk-ups or appointments at curative.com:
    • On-site: OCC Plaza (834 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232); hours Monday–Saturday, 8am–3pm.
    • Revolution Hall (1300 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214); hours Wednesday–Sunday, 4pm–10pm.
    • True West Aladdin Theater (3017 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202); hours Tuesday–Sunday, 4pm–10pm.
    • Mississippi Studios (939 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227); hours Wednesday–Sunday, 4pm–10pm.
  • 729 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR, 97232; can be booked here; hours are every day, 9am–5pm.
  • Many Walgreens locations offer free COVID-19 tests and can be reserved here.
  • Many Rite Aid locations offer free COVID-19 tests and can be reserved here.
  • OHSU is doing testing at the Portland Expo Center, and can be reserved here.
  • Multnomah County has testing sites in Gresham and Portland on Glisan St, and can be reserved here.

This is not a comprehensive list, and more options can be found using the state COVID-19 test locator sites below:

If you take a PCR test, it must be administered on or after Tuesday, November 2, to allow entry for the entire event.

A rapid test is more restricted, and is only valid for three days following your test date. If you take a rapid test, it must be administered Thursday or later to cover all days of con.

FAQ

AMA replay

On September 28, 2021, we held an AMA (Ask Me Anything) with our convention Chair. Watch the replay of the event here. Most of the questions and answers from the AMA are also listed below.

Costumes and mask types
Q: I have a headpiece, helmet, or other full head covering as part of my costume. Can I wear this? If not, can I put it on temporarily for photos?

A: You may only wear it if it does not prevent us from seeing that you are following the mask policy. You may wear your headpiece over your properly worn mask for photos, but must remove it once the photos have been taken.

Q: Will fursuits or costumes with headpieces with open mouths be allowed if a staff member could see inside the mouth to check for a mask if they get close enough?

A: If we can clearly see that your mask is on properly, it is allowed.

Q: Please clarify "and must attach to the head with a strap". Are you requiring something more than standard ear loops?

A: Not all masks attach to the ears, so we want to be inclusive of masks that tie around the head or attach in other ways.

Q: I have a spandex suit that completely covers my head. Do I wear the mask under or over that?

A: Please wear the mask over the spandex and make sure it still covers your nose and mouth. We need to be able to see that you're wearing the mask and that it's secure.

Q: Can a neck gaiter be worn over a mask if it is part of my cosplay?

A: No. The required mask cannot be hidden by the neck gaiter. We need to be able to see the mask.

Q: Are ski masks allowed if they don't "attach" to the head?

A: No, these are considered similar to neck gaiters, and are not allowed for the same reasons.

Q: Can I wear a cloth mask over a medical mask?

A: Yes, this is allowed. The cloth mask is allowed per CDC's guidelines, so if you want to add more protection on top of that, you're awesome!

Q: Is there any kind of double masking that would not be allowed?

A: As long as all of the visible masks being used fit our guidelines, it should be okay. However, we reserve the right to make a judgment call in unusual cases, as we cannot foresee every eventuality.

Q: Are "vented" masks acceptable if the vent is completely covered by filter material?

A: Sadly, no. Masks with vents are not allowed because we cannot verify whether someone has the proper filters inside. The CDC does not recommend these, so we are not allowing them.

Q: Are face shields allowed?

A: No; the CDC does not recommend face shields, so we're not allowing them.

Q: Are clear lip-reading masks where the mouth is visible allowed if they securely fasten to the ears or head?

A: Masks with windows for lip reading are allowed. However, face shields that have air openings or are located in front of the face are not allowed. A good rule of thumb is that air entering and exiting your mask should pass through some type of filter.

Masks that are designed entirely out of clear plastic or another airtight material are not permitted, as all air entering and exiting the mask moves past the sides of the mask unfiltered. This also includes face shields which are open to the air on one or more sides.

Q: Oregon requires masks on children age 5 and older, but the CDC recommends them on children age 2 and older. Which will you be enforcing?

A: We are going with the CDC's guidelines, so we will be requiring masks on children age 2 and over.

Mask exemptions
Q: Can I take my mask off for photos?

A: There is no exception for photography poses.

Q: As a panelist or event participant, can I take off my mask while presenting?

A: Currently the only exception is the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown. If that changes for an event, that will be communicated in the rules for panelists or specific events.

Q: Will there be designated quiet areas for people with sensory needs to take mask breaks as an alternative to going outside?

A: Eating areas are the only areas where masks will be able to be removed briefly for eating or drinking. Our AFK room, Gunpla Lounge, and Manga Library are quieter areas, but masks will be required.

Q: Will Kumoricon be providing masks if we forget or don't bring them?

A: No, that's not feasible.

Q: What accessibility options will be available for those who may rely on lip reading?

A: We don't have a list of these handy, but if you or someone you know has an accommodation request or for any questions, please contact accessibility@kumoricon.org.

Vaccination requirements
Q: What is considered fully vaccinated?

A: To meet the vaccination requirement, you must present proof of having received the final dose of your vaccine (second dose for two-dose vaccines, or single dose for one-dose vaccines) at least two weeks prior to your check-in date.

Q: Will boosters be included as part of the vaccination requirement?

A: Booster availability is rapidly changing and may not always be easily available by the time our event rolls around, so we can't feasibly require it.

Q: I can't get vaccinated due to religious reasons. Can I show my exemption to get in?

A: If you cannot get the vaccine, you will need to meet the negative test requirements.

Q: Is a vaccination proof from outside the United States acceptable?

A: We will accept as much as we are able. Please check back to this page for the latest confirmation. Also, please contact us in advance if you would like to make sure.

Test requirements
Q: What kinds of tests will be accepted?

A: PCR and rapid tests will be accepted. At-home tests will not be accepted.

Q: What if the test is taken at the store?

A: To be an allowable rapid test, the store must produce their own documentation of the negative test result.

Q: Your rules say for a PCR test, it must be taken on or after November 2. Does this refer to the date the test is taken, or when the results need to come in?

A: The test must be taken on or after November 2, not just the result.

Q: Will testing be available on site?

Yes! There will be a testing site at the plaza!

"The Oregon Convention Center is pleased to partner with Curative, an essential health services provider, to offer both PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 testing available via a mobile testing van conveniently located at the Oregon Convention Center Plaza [834 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR], at no cost to you. PCR test results are delivered electronically within 24–48 upon receipt of the sample at the lab; rapid antigen test results are delivered electronically within 15–30 minutes.

To schedule an appointment, visit curative.com. Walk-ups are also welcomed. Testing is available Monday to Saturday from 8am–3pm. For more information about Curative and their offerings, visit curative.com."

Vaccination or negative test verification
Q: Is a photo of a vaccination card acceptable?

A: Yes, photos of vaccination cards are okay. We can also accept a standard medical chart app (such as MyChart) if it displays your vaccination proof.

Q: Are California resident QR codes allowed as vaccination proof?

A: We are looking into this but don't know for certain yet.

Q: Can staff upload photos of their vaccination cards in advance?

A: Staff will be checked using the same process as attendees, as we don't even know your badge type when first entering the building. We are not set up to do advance verification.

Q: What kind of identification should I bring for proof of vaccination or negative test?

A: Identification requirements for our health check are the same as our requirements for registration, a valid, government-issued photo ID, so you don't have to bring anything extra. You can use the same documents for both. Please review our registration page for full details.

Q: Will I need to show my proof of vaccination or negative test every time I enter?

A: We will be giving wristbands once you have entered the OCC, even before you get your badge. You may need to get a new wristband the next day; we are still finalizing our full processes.

Venue space
Q: If the Oregon Convention Center changes their rules, will that automatically change yours?

A: Kumoricon has set its own vaccination and facial covering requirements that match the Oregon Convention Center's requirements and in some ways are stricter. We are working closely with the Oregon Convention Center, and will ensure that we meet or exceed all of their COVID-19 requirements, including making sure that Kumoricon's requirements take into account any changes in venue requirements.

Q: Will there be time or capacity limitations in event rooms? Since the convention's livelihood is based on high attendee numbers, how are you addressing the direct conflict that brings with health and safety guidelines?

A: There's definitely a balance that we're having to find, and we want you all to know that we're taking it very seriously. We can't always achieve perfect social distancing, but we're looking at how much we can space things out. This is part of why we're enforcing vaccination and test requirements, as well as mask requirements. There's no perfect answer here, but we're doing what we can.

Q: Will you be clearing rooms between events for any kind of disinfecting?

A: We do have longer gaps in between panels this year for clearing out and less overlap, and we will be trying to add disinfecting, but it is not something we can guarantee for any or all panels.

General topics
Q: Are there any differences between minors and adults for COVID-19 requirements?

A: The only differences are the minimum ages at which we enforce the vaccination requirement, the negative test requirement, and the mask requirement. All attendees age 12 and over must provide either proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or proof of a negative test. All attendees ages 6 to 11 must provide proof of a negative test. All attendees age 2 and over must wear facial coverings based on the listed requirements.

Q: If someone were to go against your COVID-19 requirements, what would happen?

A: We would follow the same procedures we follow when people break any other policy for our event. We will enforce those rules, and failing to follow them repeatedly could lead to being removed from the event.

Q: Am I able to get a refund for my membership if I am not able to get a test or vaccination in time?

A: We hope you are able to because we'd love to see you all, but if you can't, please email registration@kumoricon.org.

If it helps, there will be a testing location on-site! Please see the test section above for full details.

Q: I'm an exhibitor, Artist Alley, or Small Press member. Is there a way to postpone or cancel my table?

A: Please contact exhibits@kumoricon.org, artists@kumoricon.org, or small.press@kumoricon.org for a case-by-case review of your situation.