Comer Climate Conference COVID-19 Protocols

We look forward to welcoming you to Leeward Farm.

updated August 1, 2022

To protect the health of all of our guests, we are continuting to review the latest COVID-19 trends. We have been soliciting independent advice from an infectious disease expert throughout the summer. We may make changes to the plan as the situation evolves. Please ensure your travel arrangements allow for cancellation.

The following decisions reflect a balance of considerations including maximum occupancy and technical capacity at our remote farm.

Changelings Meeting

We will offer a hybrid (both digital and in-person) format, with no more than 23 scientists onsite. Remote attendees will be able to participate via Zoom with a live feed to the meeting. The onsite meetings will be held in the library with the standard seating arrangements. We will offer ample air circulation.  

Science Meeting

We will offer an in-person meeting with no more than 23 attendees onsite. The meetings will be held in the hangar.

To ensure safety for all:

• We will follow up-to-date CDC guidelines. 
• All guests are asked to show proof of full vaccination + booster* and to submit a negative COVID PCR test prior to arrival.
• We will provide onsite testing during the conference. 
• Guests will be transported to/from the airport and the farm in either a passenger car or an 8-person van. Upon arrivals at the Madison airport, guests may experience waiting time (typically 2.5 hours) based on coinciding arrivals to fill a car or van. On Wednesday morning, guests will return to the Madison airport in a 23-person shuttle bus. Masks will be required on all transportation. 
• Masks will be required in all indoor spaces, including meetings. Outdoor spaces will be mask-optional.
• All meals and social hours will be held outdoors in a food tent. In the event of inclement weather we will move the food to the hangar.
• All overnight guests will have one roommate with a maximum of 2 to a room. There will be 11 in the cabin, 8 in the hangar, 3 in the pool building, 6 in the barn.
• In case of a medical emergency, there will be an EMT onsite for the duration of the event.

Protocols will be subject to change as the situation evolves.