MCMS is dedicated to bringing our members together safely. With 96% of Maryland physicians vaccinated against COVID-19 and by observing all possible safety protocols, MCMS & MedChi are prepared to return to in-person events. Our top priority is the health and safety of our members and staff, and we want to ensure that our attendees feel safe attending our events.  To this end, the following protocols are in place:
 

• All event attendees, including physicians, sponsors and exhibitors, and MCMS event staff are required to provide proof of vaccination at the time of registration. Registrants will upload an image of their vaccination card to verify their vaccination status. Each member will only need to complete this verification once.  
• At this time, physician members must register at least 24 hours in advance of an in-person event, to allow adequate time for vaccination status verification. No walk-ins are allowed. 
• All attendees will be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver upon arrival at the event.  This waiver will attest that attendees are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and have not had close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual within 7 days of the event.  All participants MUST stay home if they cannot attest to these conditions. 
• Full refunds of registration fees if charged will be provided to anyone for any reason necessary.  MCMS will refund all fees if conditions dictate that an event cancellation is necessary.  MCMS will refund individual fees if you cannot attend for ANY reason including a decision of local government to not allow in-person events and/or MCMS to cancel the event or to convert the event to a virtual format. 
• When feasible, MCMS will provide virtual/hybrid options for accessing our events. Should public health guidance or a decision of MCMS's Executive Board prohibit a planned in-person gathering, MCMS will make every effort to transition the event to a virtual format. 
• MCMS will work within all federal, state, and local regulations to ensure that safety and cleanliness protocols are met or exceeded.  The usage of masks will be dictated by local regulations, as applicable, or by the individual discretion of vaccinated individuals where mask mandates are not in place.  Currently, masks are required by Montgomery County for public gatherings.  We will closely monitor all guidelines and regulations and will update our protocols as necessary.