AFTER THE EVENT


First things first: act as if you have definitely come into contact with COVID-19. Though we did everything we could to make the event safe, we still urge you to err on the side of caution, especially when it comes to people in your life who are immunocompromised or otherwise unable to be fully vaccinated.

We’ve already had attendees and staff fill out our self-reporting form, which we strongly encourage anyone with a COVID-positive result or symptoms to do so.

REPORTED CASES

As of January 20 at 1pm, we’ve had 120 positive cases reported out of 18,987 checked-in badges.

By date of test:

  • 13 tested positive during the event. We did our best to address this, including moving attendees to new hotel rooms to isolate and making any corresponding programming changes. 

  • 17 tested positive on Monday 1/9/23

  • 22 tested positive on Tuesday 1/10/23

  • 23 tested positive on Wednesday 1/11/23

  • 19 tested positive on Thursday 1/12/23

  • 12 tested positive on Friday 1/13/23

  • 5 tested positive on Saturday, 1/14/23

  • 2 tested positive on Sunday, 1/15/23

  • 4 tested positive on Monday, 1/16/23

  • No one tested positive on Tuesday, 1/17/23

  • 3 tested positive on Wednesday, 1/18/23

107 were symptomatic; 13 were asymptomatic. 

While we won’t break down every positive case, we will note locations/programming below if there were a significant number of positive exposures who mention that area/activity. 

Please note that even if we had completely accurate and prompt reports, there are still cases that will go undiagnosed or unreported. So exercise caution, take care of yourselves, and please follow the guidelines in the previous section.

LIST OF LOCATIONS/programming MENTIONED:

Please note: These are areas that attendees who tested positive reported visiting. There is no implication that these areas were not regularly sanitizing, nor that individuals contracted Covid in these areas.

Areas:

  • Arcade (20)

  • Arena/MAGMoves (3)

  • Belvedere (5)

  • Chipspace (8)

  • Consoles (11)

  • Indie Arcade (5)

  • Jam Clinic (7)

  • Jam Space (2)

  • LAN (4)

  • magFAST (4)

  • Makerspace (2)

  • Marketplace (29)

  • MIVS (2)

  • Museum (5)

  • POSE (15)

  • Registration (4)

  • Rock Island (2)

  • Tabletop (3)

  • VRZone (2)

Concerts:

  • 8-bit Big Band (13)

  • 88bit & Friends (2)

  • Brentalfloss (2)

  • Cybertronic Spree (10)

  • Disco Cactus (5)

  • Game Brass (4)

  • Knight of the Round (6)

  • Lame Genie (2)

  • Metroid Metal (9)

  • Nelward (3)

  • NPC Collective (3)

  • The One-Ups (9)

  • Skatune Network (11)

  • Super Soul Bros (12)

  • Tiggs and String Player Gamer (4)

  • Videri Quartet and Triforce Quarter (5)

  • WASD (4)

Panels:

  • Banjo Kazooie Panel (2)

  • Game Jam Panel (2)

  • Latin Dancing For Nerds (2)

  • Let’s Fight a Boss (2)

  • MAGFest Versus (2)

  • Name That Tune (3)

  • Opening Ceremonies (2)

  • Pinball Panel (2)

  • Sea Shanties (2)

  • Super Art Fight (5)

  • Soapbox (2)

  • “Whose Roll Is It Anyway?” (3)

MAGFest-Coordinated Events:

  • Community Orchestra Practices & Concert (4)

  • Dodecimation Tourney (2)

  • Hotel Court (3)

  • MTG Legacy Event (2)

Attendee-Coordinated Events:

  • BUNFest (4)

covid Policy for Super MAGFest 2023

NOTE: An updated policy for 2024 will be released prior to registration.

In order to provide a safer environment for our community in the wake of COVID-19, MAGFest, Inc. is implementing the following policies at Super MAGFest 2023. As part of the process for reserving your badge, you will need to confirm that you understand and agree to abide by these policies on-site, including our vaccination & masking policies.

We have developed these policies in accordance with government regulations, CDC guidance, and currently available scientific data. Please note that if pandemic conditions change, we may update these policies to maximize the safety of our attendees. We commit to announcing any final updates to this policy no later than November 15, 2022 so that you can make informed decisions about your attendance. A changelog is available at the bottom of this page.

THE SHORT VERSION: all people attending Super MAGFest 2023 must have their original COVID-19 vaccine series; must bring proof of vaccination to pick up their badges; and must wear masks in any event space.

Furthermore, we HIGHLY encourage well-fitting, high-quality masks (such as N-95, KN-95, or KF-94 masks) and updated booster shots where eligible. For the full details, please read on!

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation in helping us to return safely to live events. <3

Vaccination Requirements

All attendees 6 months of age and older at Super MAGFest 2023 (including minors, volunteers, staff, guests, contractors, and vendors) are required to have their original COVID-19 vaccine series. You must show proof of vaccination to pick up your badge on-site. MAGFest does not store information about your vaccination status; a visual check of your documentation will be completed by our registration staff. This means that even if you showed your proof of vaccination at a previous MAGFest event, you must still bring your proof again. You will then receive a wristband confirming your eligibility to attend the event, which you must wear for the duration of the event in addition to your badge to be allowed entry into festival spaces. Children under 6 months of age are exempt from the vaccine requirements.

Since updated booster shots are expected to be widely available this fall, we HIGHLY encourage you to get a booster between now and the event. This will not only protect you personally against severe disease, but it also may help protect more vulnerable members of our community and the community at large by helping to curb transmission.

Acceptable vaccination documentation includes: 

  • an original physical vaccination card (photos/copies may be accepted at the discretion of registration management, provided the issuer, vaccine type, date(s), and name are clearly legible), or

  • a digital vaccination record issued by a government body, healthcare provider, or authorized COVID-19 vaccine administrator, either displayed on your smart device or printed out (such as MyIR, ShowMeVax, or IIS), or

  • a third-party app that validates your vaccination record with a government body, healthcare provider, or authorized COVID-19 vaccine administrator (such as the SMART Health Card, Common Pass, or CovPass). The free/self-reported versions of apps like CLEAR and AZOVA are not acceptable UNLESS they show a photo of your card (varies by app and location) because they are not validated beyond user-provided data.

If you cannot produce an acceptable form of vaccination documentation when you arrive at registration, you will not be permitted to pick up your badge. If you have ANY concerns about whether your proof of vaccination meets the above criteria, please email regsupport@magfest.org before the event (for example, if you have a card that is non-standard, smudged, international, etc. or if you intend to use a third-party digital passport). Please do not send us physical or digital copies of your vaccination documentation at this time. Any unsolicited documentation we receive before the event will be destroyed in accordance with data privacy laws.

Your documentation MUST match the name and date of birth on the government-issued photo identification that you use to pick up your badge. If you have legally changed your name since your vaccination, or are in the process of doing so, please also bring proof of your name change. More information on our photo ID policy is available on our FAQ.

Your documentation MUST ALSO confirm that you have received your second dose of a two-dose vaccine, or your first dose of a single-dose vaccine, at least 14 days before arriving on-site at the event. This means that for most attendees, your final vaccination must be on or before December 21, 2022. For staff, contractors, and others arriving on-site before Thursday, January 5, 2023, your final vaccination must be on or before December 17, 2022. We will accept all COVID-19 vaccines that have received Emergency Use Authorization or full approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

We do not accept negative COVID tests in lieu of vaccination documentation for individuals who are able to be vaccinated. However, you may contact exemptions@magfest.org no later than November 15, 2022 if you require an exemption for medical or other reasons. Exemption requests may not be granted if received after this date. Although we generally have a no-refunds policy, we will refund badge costs (minus fees) if a person’s exemption request is denied.

As a reminder, falsifying government records is a criminal offense, and as our Code of Conduct states, we have both a civic and a moral responsibility to report any such activities to the appropriate authorities.

Masking Requirements

Approved face coverings must fully cover your nose and mouth at all times in any MAGFest event space. Furthermore, we HIGHLY encourage all attendees to procure high-quality masks for the event (such as N-95 or KN-95 masks) as these have been demonstrated to be more effective than cloth or surgical masks at preventing transmission. Children under 2 years of age are exempt from the masking requirements.

Approved face coverings are made entirely of 2+ layers of tightly woven material, and must fit snugly around the sides of your face, above your nose, and under your chin.

The following are NOT permitted, unless paired with another mask that meets the requirements. 

  • Coverings with exhalation valves, including powered respirators

  • Gaiters and other coverings that cannot be secured over your nose

  • Bandanas, face shields, and other coverings that cannot be secured under your chin

  • Mesh coverings

  • Damaged coverings

  • Costume masks (again, unless paired with an approved covering)

MAGFest event space includes the entire convention center area, including hallways and elevators. It also includes MAGFest-managed areas in the hotel (e.g. Belvedere Lobby Bar, POSE Lounge, panel rooms & queuing areas, security) as well as high-traffic areas in the hotel (the atrium, the gazebo, elevators & escalators).

For our cosplayers and fursuiters: when wearing anything that obscures or covers your face or head, approved face coverings are still required, and you must be able to demonstrate them to our staff upon request. We encourage you to incorporate face coverings into your designs, and we ask that you plan any unmasked photo shoots outdoors.

Face coverings may be removed to eat or drink. But please only do this while you are actively eating or drinking (carrying food or drink around does not count!). We also ask that you stand still or sit to eat or drink, and that you limit this to designated areas when possible. As a reminder, eating is not permitted in most of our event spaces, particularly the expo halls, and only non-alcoholic drinks in closed containers are permitted.

Otherwise, face coverings must be worn at all times, even during activities that require high physical activity (e.g. rhythm games, LARPing).

Guests, performers, panelists, and ASL interpreters may remove their face coverings only while carrying out their duties, provided they maintain at least 6’ of space between themselves and anyone not in their party. Additionally, please note that on-duty venue staff and contracted public services (such as law enforcement and EMS) are subject only to the guidance of their employers and government regulations, and may not comply with MAGFest policies.

Attendees should provide their own face coverings for the duration of the event. However, we will have limited disposable masks available for people who forget theirs or who need to change them out in a pinch. We will also have MAG-branded masks available for purchase at our merch booth!

When in doubt, please listen to MAGFest staff. It is always in our Code of Conduct that we expect all attendees to cooperate fully with our staff, venue staff, and any local security or law enforcement personnel. If you repeatedly and/or rudely disregard these policies, you should be aware that the consequences may include revocation of your badge without refund, removal from the premises, and/or an attendance ban from future MAGFest events.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR ATTENDEE MUSICIANS

In many of our music spaces, true social distancing is not possible. For our Jam Clinic, Jamspace, Belvedere Lobby Bar, POSE Lounge, and hallway jampod spaces:

  • Wind instrument players must purchase and bring a bell cover for their instrument in order to reduce aerosol spread. While there may be bell covers on hand to borrow from other musicians, we cannot guarantee it and we will not permit you to play without one, so consider purchasing one ahead of time. We will not require musician's masks to be worn while playing, but please wear your regular mask while not playing, where feasible.

  • Vocalists must remain masked and maintain 6' of distance from others while performing in the above-listed areas, unless they are formally booked by a MAGFest department.

  • Side stages in enclosed areas may have modified hours and/or more time between scheduled events in order to allow spaces to be aired out and sanitized where appropriate.

Increased Sanitation

Although it is each person’s individual responsibility to maintain their own hygiene, we will be increasing sanitation based on CDC, government, and industry best practices throughout the event space, especially in high-touch areas such as the consoles and arcade halls. We highly, highly recommend that attendees bring their own hand sanitizer, and as mentioned above attendees are expected to provide their own face coverings, but we will also have spare supplies available in limited quantities as needed.

Many event spaces will have modified hours and/or more time between scheduled events in order to allow spaces to be aired out and sanitized where appropriate.

Please be aware that specific event spaces may request or require additional sanitation precautions from you as a condition of your participation--for instance, you may be asked to clean off a machine after using it. We will also have sanitation supplies available if and where this is the case!

Social Distancing

We do not plan to reduce our attendance capacity at Super MAGFest 2023 unless the venue itself or local, state, or federal mandates require a reduction. This means that true social distancing will not be possible in many areas, especially hallways and elevators. Please plan your attendance according to your own comfort level and your own personal health & safety needs. Some event spaces will have modified layouts to allow for greater distance between attendees where possible. We will also have additional traffic flow controls, directional signage, and line management procedures in order to mitigate crowding and blockages. Please assist us in our efforts by being mindful of not congregating in hallways and by cooperating promptly with MAGFest staff if you are asked to move along.

We highly recommend that you download Maryland’s contact tracing app and enable it while on-site at the event. This will help the entire community if an exposure occurs at the event. More information about the app is available on Maryland’s CovidLink website. Normally, you can only have one region or contact-tracing app active; if you are attending from out-of-state or otherwise use another state’s app, please check the list of participating states to see if it coordinates with MD CovidLink before switching, since in some cases, switching may clear your recent exposure history. (For example, if you are exposed in the airport, but switch to MD’s app when you arrive at the event, you may not receive the proper exposure notice due to your data being reset.)

MAGFest is implementing all of the above policies in order to ensure the protection of everyone attending the event. We will continue to monitor pandemic conditions in order to adapt and communicate with our community accordingly. If the venue itself, or if local, state, or federal mandates require a reduction in capacity, we will immediately cease badge sales and begin refunding badges as necessary, minus required fees from our payment processors. In the event of a drastic change in capacity due to the pandemic, this will help MAG hang on another year--we appreciate your understanding!

COVID Refund Policy

If you are alerted of exposure to a confirmed case in the 10 days preceding the event, we ask that you try to obtain a negative PCR test result before your arrival, and be particularly attentive to masking when at the event. Please view the CDC guidance on isolation timelines for exposed people for more information.

If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 or if you receive a positive test result in the 10 days preceding the event, we ask that you please stay home unless you are able to obtain a negative PCR test result before your arrival. Please view the CDC guidance on isolation timelines for people with COVID-19 for more information.In all cases where exposure or illness is suspected, we recommend getting a PCR test no more than 72 hours before your arrival in addition to self-testing each day of the event so that further spread can be mitigated. We’re not able to police this, obviously, so we really need your help in keeping the community safe!

We typically do not offer refunds on badges, but we may be able to make exceptions in extenuating circumstances such as these. If you would like to request a refund for reasons related to COVID-19, please contact regsupport@magfest.org no later than January 8, 2023 (the last day of the event). Please note that beginning December 1, we cannot refund pre-ordered merch packages, even if your badge refund request is approved. In this event, you will be contacted after the event to collect shipping information & payment, and your pre-ordered merch package will be mailed to you by our merch vendor.

Additionally, we will have virtual content to accommodate folks who cannot attend in person for any reason--keep an eye on our social media accounts for more updates as the fall progresses!

CHANGELOG

  • September 13, 2022

    • Updated COVID-19 policy for Super MAGFest 2023

  • October 19, 2022

    • Clarified language around third-party vaccine verification apps and added CovPass as an acceptable example.

    • Added vaccine exemption for children under 6 months of age.

    • Added masking exemption for children under 2 years of age.

  • October 27, 2022

    • Clarified refund policy with respect to pre-ordered merch packages.