Adoption of a “COVID-19 Vaccine Required” Approach for our Fall 2021 Event Line-up

After careful consideration, we have decided that the safest course of action for returning to in-person events this fall is to take a “COVID-19 vaccine required” approach to participating in-person. Events that will be taking this approach include:

• Open Source Summit + Embedded Linux Conference (and co-located events), Sept 27-30, Seattle, WA
• OSPOCon, Sept 27-29, Seattle, WA
• Linux Security Summit, Sept 29-Oct 1, Seattle, WA
• Open Source Strategy Forum, Oct 4-5, London, UK
• OSPOCon Europe, Oct 6, London, UK
• Open Networking & Edge Summit + Kubernetes on Edge Day, Oct 11-12, Los Angeles, CA
• O3DECon, Oct 11-12, Los Angeles, CA
• KubeCon + CloudNativeCon (and co-located events), Oct 11-15, Los Angeles, CA
• The Linux Foundation Member Summit, Nov 2-4, Napa, CA
• Open Source Strategy Forum, Nov 9-10, New York, NY

We are still evaluating whether to keep this requirement in place for events in December and beyond. We will share more information once we have an update.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be required to attend any of the events listed above. A person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the second dose of a two-dose series, or two weeks after a single dose of a one-dose vaccine.

Vaccination proof will be collected via a digitally secure vaccine verification application that will protect attendee data in accordance with EU GDPR, California CCPA, and US HIPAA regulations. Further details on the app we will be using, health and safety protocols that will be in place onsite at the events, and a full list of accepted vaccines will be added to individual event websites in the coming months. 

While this has been a difficult decision to make, the health and safety of our community and our attendees are of the utmost importance to us. Mandating vaccines will help infuse confidence and alleviate concerns that some may still have about attending an event in person. Additionally, it helps us keep our community members safe who have not yet been able to get vaccinated or who are unable to get vaccinated. 

This decision also allows us to be more flexible in pivoting with potential changes in guidelines that venues and municipalities may make as organizations and attendees return to in person events. Finally, it will allow for a more comprehensive event experience onsite by offering more flexibility in the structure of the event.

For those that are unable to attend in-person, all of our Fall 2021 events will have a digital component that anyone can participate in virtually. Please visit individual event websites for more information on the virtual aspect of each event.

We hope everyone continues to stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you, either in person or virtually, this fall. 

The Linux Foundation

FAQ

Q:If I’ve already tested positive for COVID-19, do I still need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend in person? 

A: Yes, you will still need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend in-person.

Q: Are there any special circumstances in which you will accept a negative COVID-19 test instead of proof of a COVID-19 vaccination? 

A: Unfortunately, no. For your own safety, as well as the safety of all our onsite attendees, everyone who is not vaccinated against COVID-19 will need to participate in these events virtually this year, and will not be able to attend in-person.

Q: I cannot get vaccinated for medical, religious, or other reasons. Does this mean I cannot attend?

A: For your own safety, as well as the safety of all our onsite attendees, everyone who is not vaccinated against COVID-19 – even due to medical, religious or other reasons – will need to participate in these events virtually this year, and will not be able to attend in-person.

Q: Will I need to wear a mask and socially distance at these events if everyone is vaccinated? 

A: Mask and social distancing requirements for each event will be determined closer to event dates, taking into consideration venue and municipality guidelines.

Q: Can I bring family members to any portion of an event (such as an evening reception) if they have not provided COVID-19 vaccination verification in the app? 

A: No. Anyone that attends any portion of an event in-person will need to register for the event, and upload COVID vaccine verification into our application.

Q: Will you provide childcare onsite at events again this year?

A: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we unfortunately cannot offer child care services onsite at events at this time. We can, however, provide a list of local childcare providers. We apologize for this disruption to our normal event plans. We will be making this service available as soon as we can for future events.

Q: Will international (from outside the US) be able to attend? Will you accept international vaccinations?

A: Absolutely. As mentioned above, a full list of accepted vaccines will be added to individual event websites in the coming months.