Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences Covid-19 Protocols 2023
COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Shots
We strongly recommend that Bread Loaf attendees be up to date in their vaccines, which includes booster shots when eligible.
Travel to the Conference
Attendees agree not to travel to Bread Loaf if they are currently sick or symptomatic (or if they are considered a close contact to someone who has Covid-19).
Individuals who discover that they have COVID-19 in the time leading up to the conference should follow CDC guidance regarding isolation and agree not to travel to Bread Loaf. If you test positive for COVID, we ask you to stay home and be in touch with us about reimbursement or reapplication.
We recommend that Bread Loafers mask if traveling by plane or other public transportation.
When packing, we recommend bringing masks and an antigen test kit to have on hand in case they are needed. Masks and test kits will also be available on the Bread Loaf Campus while supplies last.
Participant Housing on Campus
We understand that participants may have questions about housing on the Bread Loaf campus. Bread Loafers should be aware that housing is shared. Most rooms on the Bread Loaf campus are doubles. Bathrooms are shared by floor.
Participants who would like to be guaranteed a single may arrange to stay in off-campus housing. In this case, it’s possible to pay for tuition only; it’s also possible to pay for tuition and board for those who wish to stay off campus and have meals provided by the conference. See the conference Dates and Fees page for details.
Those who choose to stay off-campus make their housing arrangements and then inform Bread Loaf staff. A list of hotels and other accommodations can be found at the Addison County Chamber of Commerce website. Other resources include Craigslist, AirBnB, and VRBO. Please note that any off-campus lodging will require a vehicle in order to commute to the Bread Loaf campus in Ripton.
Self-monitoring, Masks, and Testing at the Conference
Once on campus, Bread Loaf attendees agree to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms during the conference.
All of Middlebury’s campuses, including Bread Loaf Campus, are mask friendly and mask optional. We recommend bringing a mask with you to campus, if you wish. Masks will also be available on the Bread Loaf Campus while supplies last. We ask that community members exercise kindness, compassion, and patience for others in support of their personal choices and health needs.
Attendees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during the conference self-administer an antigen test. Attendees use the antigen test they brought from home or, wearing a mask, acquire an antigen test from the Bread Loaf Inn Front Desk.
If the test result is negative and symptoms persist, attendees continue to wear a mask at all times and test again 24 hours later to confirm the initial antigen test result. If the second antigen test is negative then the attendee is negative for COVID-19.
If the antigen test result is positive, see the Instructions for Those Who Test Positive below.
Specific Instructions for Those Who Test Positive Using an Antigen Test
1. Attendees who experience symptoms of COVID-19 and have a positive antigen test result immediately begin to wear a mask and to self-isolate in their room. They also must contact the Bread Loaf Inn Front Desk (802-443-2700) or the Back Office (802-443-5286; ble@middlebury.edu; blt@middlebury.edu) to inform staff of the positive test result.
2. After notifying Bread Loaf staff of the positive antigen test result, the attendee continues to self-isolate in their room while making arrangements to leave the Bread Loaf campus. (See the COVID-19-Positive Isolation Off-Campus section below for more details.)
3. During this time individuals must remain in their assigned room and may not leave except to use the bathroom or pick up a meal from the dining hall. They must wear well-fitted face coverings when leaving their rooms.
4. If the attendee has a roommate, Bread Loaf staff will do their best to find an alternative housing arrangement for the roommate until the attendee who tested positive leaves campus.
COVID-19 Positive Isolation Off-campus
Anyone who contracts COVID-19 (confirmed by a positive antigen test) while on campus will be expected to leave promptly for their own health and also for the safety of the community.
Attendees who arrived by car and are able to drive return home to recover. Otherwise, attendees leave campus to isolate in a hotel room off-campus.
The Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences Local Resources page (https://www.middlebury.edu/writers-conferences/bread-loaf-local-resources-page) includes a list of local hotels and taxis and other information that may be helpful. Every Bread Loafer should have a departure plan in place should they test positive and need to leave campus.
Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences is not able to cover the costs of hotel and taxi that attendees may incur.
Though a tuition refund is not possible, any who must leave campus due to a positive antigen test and who made a room and board payment to Middlebury College will receive a prorated refund for that room and board payment.
Changes in Policy
Middlebury College will continue to follow advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) while monitoring prevalence in our own communities and send updates if new policies and procedures become necessary.