COVID-19 Guidelines

Current guidelines are subject to approval by the MTA Board of Directors and subject to change as conditions evolve.

The Annual Meeting of Delegates will be held April 26-27, 2024 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, with a virtual attendance option available.

Mask-Required Seating Area
A “mask-required” section within the business session room will be specifically designated and clearly labeled. Delegates who prefer to be seated among others wearing masks may choose to sit in this section at any time. Only those delegates wearing a face mask will be allowed access to this section.

Aside from the designated mask-required seating area, masking is encouraged but not required. MTA will have a supply of masks available.

Delegate Commitment
As part of the preregistration process, delegates will be asked to indicate how they will attend the meeting – either in-person or remotely. After making this selection, changes are not permitted except in the case of a health situation, which will necessitate a switch from in-person to remote.

In-person delegates have a personal responsibility to monitor their health and COVID status in consideration of the health of fellow delegates. If choosing to be in-person, delegates must commit to the following when they preregister:

• They will take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to the start of Annual Meeting.
• They will not attend in-person if any of the following occur within 72 hours before Annual Meeting:
  • Delegate tests positive COVID-19.
  • Delegate has been in close contact with a person with COVID-19.
  • Delegate is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
• If any of the prior occurs, the delegate has the option of contacting MTA (via email, AnnualMeeting@massteacher.org) to switch to become a remote delegate.

Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccination with all currently recommended boosters is encouraged but not required. On February 28, 2024, the CDC issued the recommendation that adults aged 65 and older should receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Social-Distancing
Seating in the business session room will not accommodate social distancing.

Food
Food will be permitted in the business session room, and there will be no lunch break. Alternate indoor spaces for dining will be available within the convention center; for those who prefer outdoor space, a park is located directly across the street from the MassMutual Center.

Air Quality and Sanitation
The MassMutual Center’s air handling units use MERV-11 filters, which will be changed prior to our meeting. The business session will be held in a hall with air exchange rates of 4.6 per hour and ceiling heights of 27 feet.

Sanitizing wipes will be available at microphones.

Hand sanitizing stations will be placed in public areas.