While the recommendations and precautions continue to change as the pandemic develops, MerMagic Con remains stedfast in their commitment to making this an event for ALL mermaids, including those who are immunocompromised as are many on the production team. Therefore, the event will only be held if the government, venues and organizers all believe it can be done so safely. This page will be updated as the situation develops. Follow the Facebook page for the latest updates.
For the safety of the community the entire MerMagic Con staff is vaccinated.
All attendees must show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of 9am on Saturday, March 6th to receive their passes. If documentation cannot be provided at check-in your tickets will be refunded, but no exceptions or admittance will be made.
Regulations may change as the state, county, or university adjust their precautions. Due to our written agreements with each venue, we are subject to their individual covid policies when on the premises. Here’s what to expect:
At Freedom Aquatic Center (Most Convention Programming):
– All attendees must show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours to receive their passes. If documentation cannot be provided your tickets will be refunded, but no exceptions or admittance will be made.
– Everyone arriving to the aquatic center must fill out the Mason COVID Health✓™ prior to entering, each day. We strongly recommend you create an account before MerMagic Con to speed up the process.
– All attendees people must wear a mask when not in the pool area unless removing it is required for the classwork and your are expressly directed to remove it by the instructor. It must, however, promptly be replaced after the required skill is conducted.
– Only certain masks are approved at the Freedom Center. See the full list of mask requirements here.
At the Marriott (Gala and Mixer):
– The hotel is engaging in enhanced cleaning and event size caps.
– Masks are required when not actively eating or drinking.
“Fully Vaccinated” means you are two weeks past your second mRNA vaccine shot or the J&J vaccine. If you have not completed that vaccine regiment you will need to present a negative PCR test taken within 48hrs of Saturday morning, even if you are partially vaccinated.
Depending on the timeline of your original vaccination you may also be eligible for the mRNA booster shot. Studies show that the booster is the best protection against the Omicron variant and we highly recommend everyone eligible get their booster in order to better protect the community. However, we are not yet requiring the booster as it is possible not everyone is eligible to receive it.
Covid-19 regulations are subject to change and more information becomes available
We are not yet requiring the booster as it is possible not everyone is eligible to receive it. However studies show that the booster is the best protection against the Omicron variant and we highly recommend everyone eligible get their booster in order to better protect the community. Covid-19 regulations are subject to change and more information becomes available.
In accordance with Virginia state directives, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask unless engaging in certain activities.
When at Freedom Center outside the pool area, you must wear a mask.
Masks can be removed for specific exercise and educational activity (you will be directed by your instructor) or when actively eating or drinking but must be promptly replaced.
We are accepting vaccine cards for verification in person or in digital image form. You must also bring a photo ID.
We strongly recommend for the safety of all that you do not attend if you are not vaccinated.
In order to receive your passes at registration you must present proof of vaccination OR the official documentation of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of 9am March 5th 2022. This means your test must be at or after March 3rd at 9am. Rapid tests and at home test are not accepted.
As mentioned above, we are subject to the venues’ covid policies. The Freedom Aquatic Center has members who may be using other spaces of the facility. Similarly the hotel has guests who are not associated with our event. Both facilities have staff. Even if we instituted a vaccine requirement for our attendees it would be a completely false sense of security because we can not enforce it for these other parties.
It is important to us to be open and honest about what we can and cannot control so that every attendee can make an informed decision.
Many of our vendors are bringing a selection of masks so that there is something for every mermaid’s style. Hop over to the MerMagic Con Mingling Group and place a preorder for pick up when you arrive.
We completely understand. Many of our own staff are particularly vulnerable to infection and it is important to us to protect our community. In order to keep everyone as safe as possible, we have increased our protections by removing the option to go maskless if vaccinated and requiring PCR tests for anyone who cannot be vaccinated.
If you bought tickets for the 2021 convention but were unable to attend, and find that the pandemic has not abated enough for you to be able to attend 2022, our no-questions-asked refund policy still applies. Simply email us for your refund.
All 2022 attendees are required to adhere to safety protocols. However, if you will be unable to do so, your tickets are fully transferable to other attendees. We recommend posting in the MerMagic Con Mingling Group to find a buyer.
In the event the convention is postponed all gala passes, vendor fees, sponsor agreements, and tickets will be automatically valid for the new dates.
In the event that you cannot attend the new dates, all gala passes, vendor fees, sponsor agreements and tickets will be automatically valid for 2023, regardless of any price increases.
And finally, upon announcement of the 2023 dates, if you prefer not to attend 2023, you will be issued a full refund, no questions asked.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control’s COVID-19 precautions regarding large group events and travel, you should get tested for COVID-19 after the event and follow isolation/quarantine recommendations.
The dates for 2023 are not yet set but it will remain in the typical late February or early March window. Dates for the following year are typically announced during closing ceremonies.
In the event that this convention cannot be held safely within the 2021 calendar year, it will be cancelled.
Upon cancellation all gala passes, vendor fees, sponsor agreements, and tickets will be automatically valid for 2022, regardless of any price increases for the new year.
If upon announcement of the 2022 dates, you prefer not to attend, you will be issued a full refund, no questions asked.
It’s important to us that everyone feel safe at our event. So, for the 2021 convention, we’re offering zero-consequence cancellations. You can cancel at any time for any reason, no notice required and no questions asked. Any ticket-holders who have not checked into the convention by Sunday afternoon will receive an email with corresponding tickets for 2022, regardless of any price increases for the new year.
In the event that you do not wish to attend the 2022 convention, you will be issued a full refund, no questions asked.
The Best Western Battlefield Inn has been working closely with the event accommodate changes in response to the development of the pandemic. If you reserved through the link for the original March dates, your reservation has been automatically updated to the corresponding May dates, however we encourage everyone to call and confirm the new reservation is to their liking. The hotel can be reached at: 703-361-8000.
If you have not yet made your reservation you can do so at the discounted convention rate of $72 by using this link. While a credit or debit card is required to make the reservation, there is no deposit at time of booking or fee for canceling ahead of the check-in date.
In the event of further postponement, we will once again work with the hotel to update all existing reservations made through the convention link. Should you, or the convention, be forced to cancel at any time up until the day of check in there is no penalty or money lost.
