Health and Safety for ICANN76

Yes. All in-person attendees, regardless of age, at ICANN76 in Cancún are required to be fully vaccinated and up to date against COVID-19 which, in most cases, includes booster shot(s).

An attendee is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or 14 days after a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Remaining up to date on vaccinations after the primary series means receipt of available boosters or additional doses taken at recommended intervals. Mixed vaccines will also be accepted (e.g., one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer).

Instead of being required to visually show proof of vaccination during badge pickup, all in-person participants will be required to attest/declare (at the time of registration) that they will be in compliance with the vaccination requirements outlined above on/before 11 March 2023.

ICANN will accept WHO-approved vaccines. The list of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (as of 28 November 2022) is as follows:

• Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (Jcovden)
• Moderna (Spikevax)
• Novavax (Nuvaxovid)
• Oxford/AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
• Sinopharm (Covilo)
• Sinovac (Coronavac)
• CanSino (Convidecia)
• Bharat Biotech (Covaxin)
• Serum Institute of India, Oxford/AstraZeneca formulation (Covishield)
• Serum Institute of India, Novavax formulation (Covovax)

A mix of two of the above vaccines (e.g., one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer vaccines) will also be accepted.

Instead of being required to visually show proof of vaccination during badge pickup, all in-person participants will be required to attest (at the time of registration) that they will be in compliance with the vaccination requirements outlined above on/before 11 March 2023.

All in-person attendees, regardless of age, at ICANN76 in Cancún are required to be fully vaccinated and up-to-date against COVID-19 which, in most cases, includes booster shot(s).

An attendee is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or 14 days after a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Remaining up to date on vaccinations after the primary series means receipt of available boosters or additional doses taken at recommended intervals. Mixed vaccines will also be accepted (e.g., one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer).

There will no longer be wristbands issued by providing proof of vaccination, as all delegates will attest to being in compliance with the outlined COVID-19 policy for entry into the Cancún Center.

Note: Proof of a negative COVID-19 test, proof of antibodies, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 will not be accepted as a substitute for attesting that you are up-to-date with vaccination against COVID-19.

No, proof of a negative COVID-19 test, proof of antibodies, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 will not be accepted as a substitute for attesting that you are up-to-date with vaccination against COVID-19.

Current guidance states that requiring all attendees be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is an effective way of reducing the risk of transmission among large groups. Studies of those who have received a full vaccination course, including booster shots, demonstrate that the risk of carrying and transmitting the disease is vastly reduced.

No, we are unable to make any exceptions to the requirement that attendees be fully vaccinated and up to date against COVID-19. ICANN76 delegates are making their decision to attend based in part on an expectation that all who attend are held to the same health and safety requirements. Holding everyone to the same standard is an important part of ICANN’s commitment to its attendees. ICANN is committed to providing the best possible hybrid meeting with a continued focus on ensuring an equal and engaging experience for the virtual participants for ICANN76.

No. There will be no onsite registration facilities this year so you must register in advance.

In-person, advance registration will close on 8 March 2023. After that point in time, only virtual participation will be open for continued registration. Walk-up and late registrations will not be accepted after the in-person advance registration closes. All walk-up and late registered attendees will only have access to virtual participation.

Mask wearing is a personal decision, but in order to protect all our attendees, ICANN org recommends wearing a mask in all indoor public areas and meeting rooms. ICANN will have complimentary medical grade masks (including KN95) available onsite.

However, ICANN reserves the right to shift this policy back to masks being required if the situation prior to the meeting or during the meeting deems it necessary to curb an outbreak or reduce the overall risk to delegates.

Anyone testing positive with COVID-19 is expected to not enter the Cancún Center.

Currently, the Mexican government has no quarantine requirements. However, ICANN recommends that those with no or mild symptoms can undergo isolation at home, in a hotel or any other accommodation of their choice with the premise owner’s permission. Those with moderate to severe symptoms are required to be referred for admission to a private hospital or low risk quarantine and treatment center. All costs incurred should be covered by their travel and health insurance or borne by the travelers.

ICANN76 attendees should confirm whether self-isolation is an available option with their hotel. ICANN org has confirmed with each of the ICANN-approved hotels that self-isolation can be completed there if an attendee tests positive.

ICANN encourages anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 during ICANN76 to make outreach to those with whom they may have been in close proximity prior to testing positive. Anyone testing positive with COVID-19 is expected to not enter the Cancún Center. If you are feeling unwell or have illness-related symptoms, please utilize virtual participation from your hotel room. ICANN’s Health & Safety Center (HSC) remains available to all ICANN attendees as a resource.

ICANN is pleased to continue welcoming community members back to ICANN’s in-person public meetings. While electing to attend a meeting in person has always been a personal risk assessment and choice, returning to travel and meetings in the COVID-19 landscape make these personal risk assessments even more important, including acceptance of personal responsibility for taking those risks. ICANN’s health and safety measures ask all attendees to observe precautions intended to reduce the possibility of spread of COVID-19. ICANN is taking additional steps, such as providing self-administered antigen tests to all attendees at no cost and making the Health and Safety Center available for initial assistance with illness.

Yes. ICANN will have an onsite Health and Safety Center at ICANN76 to support attendees who might become ill or hurt. The Health and Safety Center is available to all registered onsite attendees.

ICANN will be providing all ICANN76 on-site participants with six COVID-19 Home Tests as part of the onsite registration health and safety package. These tests will be provided at no cost to the attendees and ICANN expects that all attendees self-administer a test each day before coming to the venue. If the COVID-19 Home Test result is positive, attendees must not come to the meeting site and are encouraged to contact ICANN’s Health and Safety Center at the email address or phone number that will be provided on the attendee’s badge.

As a condition of accepting travel funding, you will need to sign the terms of participation, including committing to follow all relevant guidelines, standards and policies, as well as agreeing to abide by ICANN’s health and safety protocols in place for the ICANN76 Community Forum. ICANN will continue to evaluate and expand our health and safety protocols as medical recommendations evolve, and reserves the right to change this up to and including the time during the meeting. We will update you in accordance so you know what to expect when you arrive in Cancún. As a funded traveler, ICANN commits to provide you with certain additional protections that modify the COVID-19 Exposure clause of Travel Acknowledgement and Waiver that you will sign as part of your registration process. As outlined at the ICANN76 FUNDED TRAVELER SUMMARY, ICANN commits to provide Funded Travelers with the following:

COVID-19 TESTING

ICANN recommends that all Funded Travelers obtain a pre-departure test to help avoid a situation where Funded Travelers arrive in Cancún with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

• The results of these tests do not need to be shared with ICANN; they are for the assurance of the Funded Traveler.
• ICANN does not mandate the type of test the Funded Traveler should take pre-departure, and if the Funded Traveler has access to and is able to self-administer an at-home test, such testing is encouraged.
• If the pre-departure test is positive for COVID-19, the Funded Traveler shall not travel to ICANN76 and should contact ICANN for further information.
• ICANN will provide free (six) at-home COVID-19 tests during registration check-in that can be used as needed.
• ICANN will pay for a COVID-19 test if required to support a proof of a negative result for their return travel.

SUPPORT AFTER COVID-19 EXPOSURE, SYMPTOMS, POSITIVE TEST DURING EVENT

• Facilitate airline reservation changes (if airfare was part of travel support already provided) and cover the cost of changes for airline reservations, if need for modification is documented.
• Facilitate hotel reservations/make accommodations on behalf of the funded traveler (if hotel accommodations are part of the travel support already provided). Cover the cost of hotel reservation extensions for the properly documented duration.
• Coverage or reimbursement of meal costs during time of documented adherence to locally mandated isolation or quarantine due to positive COVID-19 tests. (Does not include mandated quarantine or isolation upon returning home).

Learn more about The Cancún Center’s health and safety practices here.
ICANN org will conduct its own daily health inspections, pre and post meeting hours, to ensure that hygiene and cleanliness are of the highest standards.

ICANN org has modified several aspects of the arrival process with the return to hybrid meetings. All in-person attendees must be pre-registered by 8 March 2023 and show their registration confirmation email (requires a QR code) and government issued photo identification to receive an ICANN76 attendee badge.

To help reduce the queues, all attendees will be required to present their in-person registration confirmation emails (digital or printed), which will be scanned for entry. We will not provide kiosks to self check-in as previously available at meetings. There will not be any onsite registration available. Accompanying persons and family members will not be permitted into the venue unless they are also registered as in-person attendees, and must meet the entry requirements including being fully vaccinated. In-person access to some sessions may be restricted due to capacity limitations of the venue.

During the badge pickup check-in process, ICANN will provide all in-person attendees with six COVID-19 self-administered tests and five medical-grade face masks. Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer will be made available throughout the Cancún Center and will be available upon request at the Health and Safety Center (HSC).

ICANN org is committed to providing as safe a space as possible for all ICANN76 attendees and we expect everyone to self-administer the provided COVID-19 test each day before coming to the venue.

ICANN will continue using the 3-color lanyard system (red, yellow, and green) to allow in-person attendees to visually express their comfort level when it comes to socializing with fellow attendees:

RED LANYARDS: NO CONTACT / I’m keeping my physical distance
*Desire extreme physical distancing and precautions.

YELLOW LANYARDS: ELBOWS ONLY / I’m still being cautious
*Desire some caution and respect physical distance with others.

GREEN LANYARDS: HIGH-FIVES & HANDSHAKES / I’m ok with shorter distance
*Fine with more relaxed behaviors followed by frequent hand washing and sanitizing.

Badge Pickup Station and proof of vaccination validation hours:

• Friday, 10 March 8:30 – 16:00 (Early Check-in)
• Saturday, 11 March 8:00 – 17:00
• Sunday, 12 March 8:00 – 17:00
• Monday, 13 March 8:00 – 17:00
• Tuesday, 14 March 8:00 – 17:00
• Wednesday, 15 March 8:00 – 17:00
• Thursday, 16 March 8:00 – 13:00

ICANN will conduct entrance scans of all attendee badges upon entry to ICANN76. The primary purpose is to enable email notifications to attendees of potential exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.

Contact tracing will be implemented with digital badge scanners when entering the ICANN76 meeting space. Ushers will quickly scan a QR code printed on all attendee badges upon entry to the ICANN76 venue.

The printed badge QR code does not contain any personally identifiable information, and is a random generated identifier (ID) for each attendee. This ID can only be linked by ICANN org to a registration record for a COVID-19 notification report, which will allow ICANN to notify all on-site participants of potential exposures to COVID-19. Badge scanning upon entry is mandatory for all in-person attendees. Contact tracing will not be conducted for virtual participants.

We will use your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and as explained in this FAQ.

There are many local COVID-19 Testing centers within Cancún and within walking distance of the Cancún Center. Additional information will be provided to onsite attendees during ICANN76.

Yes. ICANN will have an onsite Health and Safety Center at ICANN76 to support attendees who might become ill or hurt. The Health and Safety Center is available to all registered onsite attendees.

As with all international travel, all travelers have a responsibility to understand the entry and exit requirements of their travel and determine if they can meet those requirements before committing to the travel. Travelers may review specific travel requirements by visiting https://apply.joinsherpa.com/map or their local government international traveler websites.

To see travel requirements to enter Mexico based on your location, visit https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/suiza/index.php/turismo/covid-19/english.

Please find up-to-date information for entry into Mexico here.

Please check with your airline and the Mexican government website.

ICANN will not be providing shuttles or ground transportation from Cancún International Airport to the Zona Punta Cancún area (Cancún Center area). However, there are many transportation options available, as noted here.

ICANN will communicate additional information and details directly to Funded Travelers during the onboarding process for ICANN76..

Invitation letters are provided as part of the registration process. Please register here.Invitation letters are provided as part of the registration process. Please register here.

Please check back on this page often, especially as we get closer to the event, to learn more about the registration check-in process, COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and more.

There are many local COVID-19 Testing centers within Cancún and within walking distance of the Cancún Center. Additional information will be provided to onsite attendees during ICANN76.