Rising Phoenix Gaming Convention has decided to strictly follow CDC guidelines for the convention. All of our many discussions have been guided by the care we feel for our family and friends in the gaming community.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors COVID-19 community levels and recommends prevention strategies based on those levels. The Rising Phoenix Game Convention masking policy will follow the guidelines for Worcester County, Massachusetts as they are described on the Sunday prior to the start of the convention (April 16).

You can see excerpts from these guidelines below. In all cases, vaccinations must be up to date. That means, at a minimum, the primary series plus the most recent booster (approved in September, 2022).

At all COVID-19 Community Levels indicated below the following guidelines apply:

·         Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses.

·         Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

·         Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

·         Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to COVID-19.

Covid-19 Community Guidelines

When Are You Up to Date?

You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines if you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC. Updated (bivalent) boosters became available September 2, 2022.

Based on these discussions, every adult badge holder will have to show a photo ID and provide proof of vaccination:

• Proof of vaccination is a COVID vaccine card (either digitally in advance or photograph/physical at the convention) showing you are fully vaccinated by the time you arrive at RPGameCon. Fully vaccinated means it has been at least two weeks since your Johnson & Johnson dose or your second Pfizer or Moderna dose for anyone 5 years or older; or

• If you need an exemption, you must contact ([email protected]) to discuss your situation confidentially.  You will be asked to provide proof of a negative COVID test (PCR within 72 hours of arriving at the convention or a Rapid (antigen) within 24 hours of arriving). Testing will be allowed for exemptions ONLY and all exemptions must be cleared at least one week before arrival at the convention. No walk-up exemptions will be allowed. 

You will need a badge to enter any convention spaces. There will be no exceptions!

We will require that every attendee, vendor, and volunteer sign or agree to a general liability waiver. 

RPGameCon will adhere to State guidelines. In addition, we are planning on:

• Spreading gaming tables further apart to allow ease of movement and less congestion around gaming spaces.

• Face masks will be available to attendees should they need to wear one.

• Hand sanitizers will be available throughout the convention spaces. Please use them often!

• Requiring correct contact information when signing up for the convention to allow us to have accurate information in the event that contact tracing is needed.

• Allowing only badge holders into the convention spaces. Non-gaming guests may register for a $5.00 Visitor Badge at the main registration desk during the convention, this will allow you access to the Vendor Hall and common areas, but no gaming areas. Walk-in visitor badges must show ID and a COVID vaccine card and are subject to the same rules as above.

• Mask use will depend on State CDC guidelines at the time of the convention.

• For the safety of the community, please stay home if you are feeling sick or have symptoms of COVID 19.

Please keep in mind that the decision we have made is subject to change based on State and Federal guidelines. 

If you have any questions about this policy, please feel free to write to us at [email protected]. We put this forward with the utmost respect and hope this will be treated in the same light knowing we want to keep this community that is incredibly important to us safe, happy and gaming!  

If you have any questions about this policy or medical exemptions, please complete the form below.