COVID Policies
This page was last updated on December 29, 2022.
When you register for California Balboa Classic, you agree to these terms and conditions. California Balboa Classic and Pacific Swing Dance Foundation reserve the right to updates these terms and conditions at any time without notice.
Please send questions and concerns to: safety@calbalclassic.com.
COVID-19 Acceptance of Risk and Waiver of Liability
By participating in activities and events organized by CalBal/PSDF I agree to abide by the CalBal COVID-19 policies or risk expulsion from the event.
I acknowledge that there are risks associated with my participation in California Balboa Classic 2023 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This waiver, release, and other representations and covenants set forth herein are given in consideration for CalBal/PSDF permitting me to participate in California Balboa Classic 2023 during this emergency period. Therefore, without limitation, I understand that I could contract COVID-19 disease which could result in a serious medical condition requiring medical treatment in a hospital or could possibly lead to death.
On behalf of myself and my heirs, successors and assigns, I knowingly and freely, assume all such COVID-19 related risks, both known and unknown, relating to my participation in California Balboa Classic 2023, and I hereby forever release, waive, relinquish, and discharge CalBal/PSDF, along with its officers, agents, employees, or other representatives, and their successors and assigns, from any and all COVID-19 related claims, demands, liabilities, rights, damages, expenses, and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, and other losses of any kind, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, (collectively, "Damages") as a result of my participation in California Balboa Classic 2023, including but not limited to personal injuries, death, disease or property losses, or any other loss, and including but not limited to claims based on the alleged negligence of CalBal/PSDF. I further promise not to sue CalBal/PSDF or its officers, agents, employees or other representatives, and agree to indemnify and hold them harmless from any and all Damages resulting from my contraction of COVID-19.
Masking Policy
Last updated December 29, 2022
For 2023, CalBal is adopting a hybrid masking policy. We arrived at this policy in consultation with our health advisor by considering current COVID trends and projections, risks for attendees at CalBal 2023, and other risk mitigation practices at the event. Although we have no plans to do so, CalBal reserves the right to enact additional masking requirements at any time should conditions warrant. We will not, however, remove any of the December 29, 2022 masking requirements.
Pasadena Masonic Temple
Pasadena Masonic Temple
Friday–Sunday
PMT Ballroom and Side Room
PMT Ballroom and Side Room
Friday–Sunday
Hilton Pasadena
Hilton Pasadena
Pasadena Masonic Temple
Hilton Pasadena
Pasadena Masonic Temple
Hilton Pasadena
PMT Balcony Room
Friday–Sunday
Pasadena Masonic Temple
Hilton Pasadena
Instructors excepted
Friday–Sunday
PMT Balcony Room
Friday
Pasadena Masonic Temple
Prelims and finals
Friday
Pasadena Masonic Temple
Prelims and finals
“Mask Required” Dance Space
During evening dances Friday through Sunday, the Pasadena Masonic Temple Balcony Room will be “Mask Required.” The Balcony Room (aka the Conference Room) is separated from the Ballroom by a wall and 1/2 storey, but has three balcony openings overlooking the Ballroom. It has excellent views of the stage and Ballroom floor and is the best place to hear live music from on stage. CalBal will equip the Balcony Room with auxiliary amplification and additional ventilation to improve air circulation.
Masking Inside Pasadena Masonic Temple
Risk Mitigation Measures
Last updated December 29, 2022
- Up-to-Date Vaccinations: COVID vaccinations and boosters are effective at mitigating infection, transmission, and serious symptoms. of COVID-19 particularly if kept up-to-date. To be in attendance, all CalBal 2023 pass-holders and staff must provide proof of compliance with CDC's up-to-date guidelines unless granted an exemption from CalBal's organizers. Exemptions are capped at 2% of estimated attendance and currently stand at just under 1.5%. Moreover, most exemptions so far have gone to people who are in compliance with CDC's recommendations. We estimate that 96–98% of people at CalBal 2023 will have been boosted within three months of the event.
- Building Ventilation: Good ventilation is effective at mitigating COVID spread and evening dances at the Pasadena Masonic Temple will be well ventilated. The owners of LindyGroove have worked with the PMT over a number of years to install and maintain an excellent ventilation system that creates ample airflow throughout the PMT main floor including the foyer, Ballroom, Balcony Room, and Side Room.
- Mask Requirements: For activities and locations where ventilation is less adequate and/or changing partners is the norm—classrooms and mixed-couples contests—CalBal will require particpants to wear masks. At these times, masks must fit well and cover the nose and mouth.
- Good Masks Encouraged: If worn diligently and properly, a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask can effectively mitigate transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. CalBal will have affordable KN95 masks available at both the PMT and Pasadena Hilton.
- Mask-Required Dance Space: A portion of our customers have expressed discomfort with social dancing where masks are optional. In response, CalBal is designating a separate, mask-required dance space during evening dances. The PMT Balcony Room is a large, well-ventilated dance area that overlooks the PMT Ballroom and has excellent views (and sound).
- Cancellation Policy: For 2023, CalBal is offering an unlimted registration transfer policy. If you have registered for CalBal2023 and cannot attend for any reason, you may cancel your registration and transfer it to another person or another year. If you become sick during the event, please let us know by contacting safety@calbalclassic.com and we we will issue a credit for your pass and unused contest registrations.
Vaccination Policy
Note: The CDC most recently updated its "Stay Up to Date" page on December 22, 2022. However, CalBal's vaccination policies were "set in stone" on December 15, 2022 and therefore match the CDC's December 9, 2022, recommendations.
On December 29, 2022, we updated these policies to correct some errors and clarify language. Those updates do not affect our Final Vaccination policy, published on December 16, 2022.
CalBal is committed to providing a safer environment regarding COVID-19 for all people attending CalBal 2023. Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CalBal 2023 COVID-19 policy is dynamic and subject to change. What you are reading is the most up-to-date information available from the event regarding expectations surrounding COVID-19 as of December 16, 2022, but please keep in mind that, when you register(ed) for CalBal 2023, you agree that CalBal may change its COVID-19 safety requirements at any time and you agree to conform to any such changes (or else refrain from attending the event).
What’s CalBal’s expected COVID-19 policy?
CalBal expects all attendees of CalBal 2023—including all in-person event staff—to take reasonable precautions regarding Covid-19.
Decisions related to masking and testing will be finalized no later than December 29, 2022.
Vaccination Requirement
Final update: December 16, 2022
Attendees must be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations (according to CDC guidelines as of December 9, 2022) and provide proof of that status to the event.
Exemptions
CalBal will grant a limited number of exemptions from this requirement to attendees who complete this form and receive approval from the event organizers.
You may receive an exemption if:
- You are moderately or severely immunocompromised (read recommendations here)
- You have had COVID-19 after October 28, 2022 and fully recovered (no symptoms) prior to January 2, 2023.
- Your home locality (e.g., parts of Europe) prevents you from receiving a more recent booster
Attendees requesting an exemption must receive permission to attend and abide by any special safety protocols required by the event (such as masking and/or confirming COVID-negative status with periodic tests).
CalBal’s definition of up-to-date is the same as the CDC’s definition of up-to-date as of December 9, 2022. There will be no further updates to CalBal’s definition up-to-date prior to the in-person event. The CDC’s definition reads, in part:
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.
Admission Criteria (Can I Attend CalBal?)
You are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the CDC’s complete recommendations for you if you wish to attend CalBal 2023. Based on the December 9, 2022 CDC recommendations, if you are a pass holder, you will be admitted to CalBal 2023 if:
You've had your initial round of COVID-19 vaccination(s)
AND
You've had your initial round of COVID-19 vaccination(s)
AND
You have requested and received an exemption approval using this form.
Exceptions may be granted under a variety of conditions. Some common ones are:
- You provide proof that you are medically unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster.
- You provide proof that you have had COVID-19 on or after October 28, 2022 and are fully recovered (no symptoms on or after January 2, 2023).
- You provide proof that you live in a location that prevents you from receiving recent boosters BUT you are otherwise up-to-date according to your locality’s guidelines.
One of these is true:
You have received the bivalent booster anytime prior to December 28, 2022.
You have requested and received an exemption approval using this form.
Exceptions may be granted under a variety of conditions. Some common ones are:
- You provide proof that you are medically unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster.
- You provide proof that you have had COVID-19 on or after October 28, 2022 and are fully recovered (no symptoms on or after January 2, 2023).
- You provide proof that you live in a location that prevents you from receiving recent boosters BUT you are otherwise up-to-date according to your locality’s guidelines.
One of these is true:
You have received ANY booster between October 28, 2022 and December 28, 2022.
You have requested and received an exemption approval using this form.
Exceptions may be granted under a variety of conditions. Some common ones are:
- You provide proof that you are medically unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster.
- You provide proof that you have had COVID-19 on or after October 28, 2022 and are fully recovered (no symptoms on or after January 2, 2023).
- You provide proof that you live in a location that prevents you from receiving recent boosters BUT you are otherwise up-to-date according to your locality’s guidelines.
Masking Requirement (See Masking Policy)
It is unknown at this time whether masks will be required at CalBal 2023. The event will make a final decision regarding required masking no later than December 29, 2022. This decision will be guided by the recommendations from the CDC and local authorities on masking at large events, although CalBal organizers reserve the right to make decisions that may differ from CDC recommendations based on local COVID-19 infection rates.
Testing Requirement
CalBal encourages, but does not at this point require, all attendees to self-test for COVID-19 before departing for CalBal 2023. CalBal may require all attendees to take a PCR test (rather than a rapid self-test) before attending the event. The potential cost and the scheduling of any pre-event COVID tests will be the responsibility of each attendee. CalBal may change this testing policy prior to the event and will make a final decision regarding this policy by December 29, 2022.
Additionally, CalBal reserves the right to require monitored rapid self-testing during the event. Decisions about rapid self-testing and reporting requirements will be made by the onsite registered nurse (RN) during the event. In the case that rapid self-testing of attendees is needed on site, CalBal will provide all the rapid testing materials to attendees free of charge.
Additional Requirements for CalBal Staff and Competitors
CalBal staff may be required to abide by additional testing requirements during the event to ensure the highest level of safety possible.
Teachers, judges, and competition finalists may be exempt from any mask requirement for the duration of their teaching, judging, or competing in the finals. Competitors may be required to take rapid self-test(s) prior to competing in addition to any general rapid self-testing required for all attendees.
What Happens If I Test Positive for COVID-19?
Last updated December 29, 2022
For the safety and health of customers and staff, please stay home, and submit a cancellation request if:
- You test positive for COVID-19 during the 10 days prior to the event (i.e., January 2, 2023 or later).
- You exhibit symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during the 10 days prior to the event (i.e., January 2, 2023 or later).
- You had COVID but it has been fewer than 10 days since your last symptoms (i.e., you experienced symptoms on or after January 2, 2023).
- You were exposed to an infectious person within 10 days of the event (remember: they are considered infectious for 10 days after the abatement of their symptoms i.e., their last symptoms may have been as early as December 23, 2022).
If you have recovered from COVID-19 but have not exhibited symptoms in the 10 days prior to CalBal, you are considered recovered and are subject to no special conditions.
If you test positive for COVID-19 during the event, you will be asked to leave the event immediately.
If your roommate at CalBal 2023 tests positive for COVID-19 during the event, you may be asked to leave the event immediately whether or not you test positive. Decisions of this kind will be made by the organizers in consultation with our onsite RN according to the particular circumstances.
In either case, CalBal will issue a pass credit toward a subsequent year of CalBal. Pass credits are fully transferrable. Please see our cancellation policy for more details.
Who pays for my trip expenses if I have to cancel my trip?
CalBal strongly encourages attendees to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage related to COVID-19 for their trip to CalBal 2023. Although CalBal 2023 is offering unlimited pass transfers (to another person or to another year of CalBal), if you get COVID-19 at CalBal 2023 (or during the 10 days before the event), CalBal will not pay for any other costs related to changes or cancellations of your trip.
How can I help prevent Covid-19 at CalBal 2023?
Do your best before the event to take extra precautions around other people to reduce your possible exposure to COVID-19 (e.g., wearing a well-fitting N95, KN95, or KF94 mask in public, indoor places).
If you have access to rapid self-tests, bring some extras with you in case you or a friend needs to test. You may also donate self-tests to CalBal—Pacific Swing Dance Foundation (which operates CalBal) would greatly appreciate your generosity. Details regarding donations of rapid self-tests will be available by January 5, 2023.
How do I contact CalBal about the CalBal 2023 COVID-19 policy?
A very limited number of exemptions to our vaccine policy may be granted at the sole discretion of CalBal’s organizers. Individuals granted these exemptions may be required to take additional precautions prior to and during the event at the sole discretion of the event organizers.
Please fill out this form to request an exemption »
For any questions regarding the CalBal 2023 COVID-19 policy, including questions regarding vaccination exemptions, please contact our safety and inclusion team at safety@calbalclassic.com.
Updated November 7, 2022 Note: This version is provide as a reference to create transparency around CalBal's evolving COVID policies.
CalBal is committed to providing a safer environment regarding COVID-19 for all people attending CalBal 2023. Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CalBal 2023 COVID-19 policy is dynamic and subject to change. What you are reading is the most up-to-date information available from the event regarding expectations surrounding COVID-19 as of August 2023 November 2023, but please keep in mind that, when you register for CalBal 2023, you agree that CalBal may change its COVID-19 safety requirements at any time and agree to conform to any such changes (or else refrain from attending the event).
What’s CalBal’s expected COVID-19 policy?
CalBal expects all attendees of CalBal 2023—including all in-person event staff—to take reasonable precautions regarding Covid-19.
Decisions related to masking and testing will be finalized by December 29, 2022.
Vaccination Requirement
Attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of that vaccination to the event OR attendees with a medical exemption preventing vaccination must receive permission from the event to attend and abide by safety protocols such as masking and confirming COVID-negative status to the event via periodic rapid self-testing.
The definition of “fully vaccinated” will be the same as the definition of “fully vaccinated” as provided by the CDC as of December 15, 2022. As of the publication of this policy in August 2022, the CDC expects fall COVID-19 boosters, but the exact nature of when they will be available, to whom, and their impact on the definition of “fully vaccinated” is unknown at this time.
Attendees must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and provide proof of that vaccination to the event.
Attendees with a medical exemption preventing vaccination must receive permission to attend and abide by any special safety protocols required by the event (such as masking and/or confirming COVID-negative status via periodic rapid self-testing).
The definition of “up to date” will be the same as the definition of “up to date” provided by the CDC no later than December 15, 2022. As of November 1, 2022, the CDC states:
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.
For example, if the CDC updates its definition of “fully vaccinated” before December 15, 2022, then attendees will be expected to take reasonable measures to comply with that policy or else forego attending the event in mid-January 2023. However, if the CDC makes no changes to the definition of “fully vaccinated” by December 15, 2022, then the current CDC definition of “fully vaccinated” is the policy attendees will be expected to follow.
As a pass holder to CalBal 2023, you are responsible for staying informed about the CDC’s definition of “up to date” until December 15, 2022.
For example, if the CDC updates its definition of “up to date” on December 11, 2022 and updates it again on December 16, 202, attendees will be expected to comply only with the December 11 recommendation.
Read the CDC’s current recommendations for adults to be considered "up to date" »
Masking Requirement
It is unknown at this time whether masks will be required at CalBal 2023. The event will make a final decision regarding required masking at the event no later than December 29, 2022.
The decision will be guided by the recommendations from the CDC on masking at large events, although CalBal organizers reserve the right to make decisions that may differ from CDC recommendations based on local COVID-19 infection rates.
Testing Requirement
CalBal encourages, but does not at this point require, all attendees to self-test for COVID-19 before departing for CalBal 2023. CalBal may also require all attendees to take a PCR test (rather than a rapid self-test) before attending the event. The potential cost and the scheduling of any pre-event COVID tests will be the responsibility of each attendee. CalBal may change this testing policy prior to the event and will make a final decision regarding this policy by December 29, 2022.
Additionally, CalBal reserves the right to require monitored rapid self-testing during the event. Decisions about rapid self-testing and reporting requirements will be made by the onsite RN during the event. In the case that rapid self-testing of attendees is needed on site, CalBal will provide all the rapid testing materials to attendees free of charge.
Additional Requirements for CalBal Staff and Competitors
CalBal staff may be required to abide by additional testing requirements during the event to ensure the highest level of safety possible.
Teachers, judges, and competition finalists may be exempt from any mask requirement for the duration of their teaching, judging, or competing in the finals. Competitors may be required to take rapid self-test(s) prior to competing in addition to any general rapid self-testing required for all attendees.
What Happens If I Test Positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19 during the 10 days prior to the event, stay home (and feel better soon). You can transfer your full-price pass to CalBal 2023 to another person or to another year.
If you test positive for COVID-19 during the event, you will be asked to leave the event immediately and will be issued a pass credit good for the next year of CalBal.
If your roommate at the event tests positive for COVID-19 during the event, but you test negative on a rapid self-test at that time, you may be asked to leave the event immediately along with your roommate. The decision regarding whether a COVID-negative roommate of a COVID-positive person must also leave the event will be made by the onsite RN in accordance with the individual circumstances of the people involved.
If you have recovered from COVID-19 as of 10 or more days prior to the event, you are considered recovered and are subject to no special conditions.
Who pays for my trip expenses if I have to cancel my trip?
CalBal strongly encourages attendees to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage related to C-19 for their trip to CalBal 2023. Although CalBal 2023 is offering unlimited pass transfers (to another person or to another year of CalBal), if you get COVID-19 at CalBal 2023 (or during the 10 days before the event), CalBal will not pay for any other costs related to changes or cancellations of your trip.
How can I help prevent Covid-19 at CalBal 2023?
Do your best before the event to take extra precautions around other people to reduce your possible exposure to COVID-19 (e.g., wearing a well-fitting N95, KN95, or KF94 mask in public, indoor places).
If you have access to rapid self-tests and would like to donate them to the event, the Pacific Swing Dance Foundation (which operates CalBal) would greatly appreciate your generosity. Details regarding donations of rapid self-tests will be available by January 5, 2023.
How do I contact CalBal about the CalBal 2023 COVID-19 policy?
A very limited number of vaccine exceptions may be granted to attend CalBal at the sole discretion of CalBal management. Individuals granted these exemptions will be required to take additional precautions prior to and during the event.
Please fill out this form to request an exemption »
For any questions regarding the CalBal 2023 COVID-19 policy, including questions regarding vaccination exemptions, please contact our safety and inclusion team at safety@calbalclassic.com.