COVID-19 Q&A for attending IROS2022 Onsite

(ver.0.0 October 12, 2022)
Scrubbed emails at SC2 ML till 21:00, October 12, 2022

Contents

I MAY TEST POSITIVE

I tested positive for COVID-19 in recent past days and may continue to test positive despite completing my recovery/quarantine. Will you accept a letter of recovery from my doctor instead of a negative result?

A: Sorry; attending IROS2022 onsite is not possible without a COVID-negative result obtained within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue. We request this to ensure the safety of all participants and look forward to your kind understanding.

I tested positive before my departure. Should I cancel my trip and change my presentation into online-mode? In that case, to whom I contact?

A: If you cannot submit a COVID-negative result obtained within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue, you cannot attend the conference onsite. You can attend the conference online and have an online presentation. For any change in registration, please contact iros2022-registration@jtb.com. Please note that the conference’s standard registration cancellation policy will apply.

I recently took a Covid shot against Omicron variant, and I’m afraid that the body response to the shot will present me as tested positive for COVID. In that case, what should I do?

A: We apologize for the inconvenience but please note that one must submit a COVID-negative result obtained within 3 days before their first visit to the conference venue. We request this to ensure the safety of all participants and look forward to your kind understanding.

COVID-TESTING FACILITIES IN JAPAN

REGISTRATION POLICY ON CANCELLATIONS DUE TO COVID-19

Will the registration fees for onsite attendance be refunded in the case that someone tests positive and is unable to attend in-person?

A: The conference’s registration cancellation policy will be applied.

TYEP OF COVID TESTS AND RESULT SUBMISSION

Is there any particular type of COVID-19 test or test kit which I should use?

A: No; any type of Covid-19 tests done with any kind of testing kit is acceptable. The only condition is that it should be conducted within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue. Please submit your result through the Google Form and show the submission response email to the staff at the entrance of Event Hall (the registration desk).

Are there any specific antigen tests that are accepted or rejected?

A: No; any type of Covid-19 tests done with any kind of testing kit is acceptable. The only condition is that it should be conducted within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue. Please submit your result through the Google Form and show the submission response email to the staff at the entrance of Event Hall (the registration desk).

Will the result of a self-tested COVID-19 negative test be accepted?

A: Yes, any type of Covid-19 tests (self-tested or otherwise) done with any kind of testing kit is acceptable. The only condition is that it should be conducted within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue. Please submit your result through the Google Form and show the submission response email to the staff at the entrance of Event Hall (the registration desk).

Is there a specific COVID-negative certificate which I need to submit?

A: There is no specified format. The result will be accepted if it clearly shows your name, the date of the test/specimen collection, and the result. If you do it using a self-testing kit, please submit a combined photo of the result with your name and date of the test written on a piece of paper. An example method is shown here. Please submit your result through the Google Form and show the submission response email to the staff at the registration desk.

Can I submit a Photo or scan of the COVID-negative certificate?

A: Yes, you need to upload the photo/scan of the result using the Google Form and show the submission response email to the staff at the entrance of Event Hall (the registration desk). If you test using a self-testing kit, please submit a combined photo of the result with your name and date of the test written on a piece of paper. An example method is shown here.

Can I submit a COVID-negative certificate in a language other than English and Japanese?

A: Sorry; we request to submit result either in English or Japanese. If you cannot find a test showing result in English or Japanese, you may take a photo and submit a picture of machine/hand translation of the contents in English. The submitted result should clearly indicated your name, date of the test/specimen collection, and result (positive or negative).

DEFINITION OF 3 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST VISIT TO THE VENUE

My flight to Japan will leave on 20th Oct. Is it ok for me to take a PCR test on the 19th of October? I‘m not sure if it’s inside the 3-day period before the start of the conference.

A: If you come to the reception desk (registration desk) on 22nd October, 3 days would mean 19th October or later. In other words, the COVID-test result obtained on and after 19th October 00:00 at the firstest time zone (Auckland, New Zealand Time) will be valid.

10/19 0:00 (Auckland, New Zealand Time)
=10/18 20:00 JST =10/18 19:00 CST=10/18 13:00 CET =10/18 12:00 UTC
=10/18 7:00 EST¬=10/18 4:00 PST

I can take a COVID test on the 19th of October. Will it be accepted?

A: If you come to the reception desk (registration desk) on 22nd October, 3 days would mean 19th October or later. In other words, the COVID-test result obtained on and after 19th October 00:00 at the firstest time zone (Auckland, New Zealand Time) will be valid.

10/19 0:00 (Auckland, New Zealand Time)
=10/18 20:00 JST =10/18 19:00 CST=10/18 13:00 CET =10/18 12:00 UTC
=10/18 7:00 EST¬=10/18 4:00 PST

Would it be enough to have a COVID-19 test three days before arriving in Japan or do I need one three days before coming to the IROS2022 venue?

A: You need to submit a COVID-negative result obtained within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue.

I’m attending another event at ICC Kyoto just before IROS2022. In that case, will it be okay if I get tested more than 3 days before my first day at IROS2022?

A: Sorry; to attend IROS2022 onsite you must submit a COVID-negative result obtained within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue.

I will be attending workshops and tutorials on Sunday, Oct 22nd. Will that count as the first day of the conference for me? In this case, will a test taken on Thursday (Oct 20th) work?

A: Yes, in this case your first day will be Oct. 22nd and a test taken on Oct. 20th should work.

MISCELLANEOUS

Will IROS2022 cover the cost of COVID test?

A: The conference will NOT cover the COVID-19 testing fees.

I am finding it difficult to get tested just before the conference. Can you extend the 3 days period or even remove the test requirement for triple-vaccinated participants?

A: We apologize for the inconvenience but please note that one must submit a COVID-negative result obtained within 3 days before their first visit to the conference venue. We request this to ensure the safety of all participants and look forward to your kind cooperation. If you cannot take a COVID test due to unavoidable reasons, please contact us at sc2@iros2022.org one day (24 hours) before your first visit to the conference venue.

I have received three doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Do I still need to submit a COVID-negative confirmation?

A: Yes, you still need to submit a COVID-negative result obtained within 3 days before your first visit to the conference venue.