COVID-19 Policy for Summer Games Done Quick 2023

Thank you for your interest in attending Summer Games Done Quick 2023 (SGDQ2023)! This policy is a living document, and may be updated at any time prior to the event as health regulations, safety recommendations, and changes in COVID-19's ongoing development occur between now and the event.

Important Policy Changes from SGDQ 2022

• Hotel bookings will no longer be limited to 2 adults per room.
• Social distancing will no longer be strictly enforced, though we encourage everyone to maintain safe distancing when reasonable.
• Children as young as 5 will be allowed to attend, though all attendees regardless of age must still comply with our masking and vaccine requirements.
• Onsite activities, including panels and a designated board game space will return in a limited capacity.

What are the COVID-19 safety requirements to attend SGDQ2023?

Our requirements are designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19 at the event. We have built our requirements based on recommendations from medical staff, CDC guidelines, and WHO guidelines. You may find that many of these requirements exceed the guidelines put forth by the CDC. This is intentional, to ensure the safety of our attendees. Games Done Quick will also provide assistance with some of these requirements.

• You must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including a booster shot, no later than May 12th. Vaccines must be authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration, or the World Health Organization (a list is provided below).
• You must be able to present proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations (physical vaccine card or digital equivalent), and a government issued photo ID. Each attendee must provide their own documentation, we will not accept documents on behalf of another attendee.
• You must be able to properly wear a KN95/N95/KF94 face mask at all times in event areas unless otherwise instructed by staff. Proper masking procedure, including covering your nose and mouth will be strictly enforced.
• You must be at least 5 years of age to attend and attendees between the ages of 5 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in event areas. Please note, all attendees, regardless of age are subject to the above masking and vaccination policies and individuals under 5 years of age will not be allowed in marathon areas.
• You must report if you, or someone you have been in close contact with, show symptoms or test positive of COVID-19 in the past 14 days prior to or during your attendance. Reports should be made immediately to GDQ safety staff (safety@gamesdonequick.com). Details on what to check for and what to do are below.
• You are responsible for complying with all advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to or within the United States for SGDQ2023
• You must comply with any government self-quarantine or isolation orders
• You will need to take any COVID-19 tests requested by the GDQ safety staff, in the event of a possible direct exposure to, or symptoms of, COVID-19. You will not be permitted to enter the event until you have provided the GDQ safety team with the necessary negative COVID-19 tests.
• You must follow social distancing requirements for each area of our event. Each room in our event will be laid out to help guide attendees towards proper distancing.
• You must maintain good hygiene, including regular hand washing and changing your masks at least once every 3 days.

What do I do if I think I have COVID-19, or was in close contact with someone who may have had COVID-19?

The CDC has provided thorough documentation on what may be considered a symptom of COVID-19. We encourage attendees to be familiar with the CDC guidance when making a determination about their health.

First, immediately reach out to the GDQ Safety Team (safety@gamesdonequick.com), and let us know. Then, you need to isolate (in your hotel room or residence). GDQ Staff will need you to get one or more COVID-19 tests in order to verify whether you may be safe to return to the event. It is critically important that you do not expose yourself to others until you are cleared by GDQ staff and your symptoms have subsided.

If you are required to isolate, or to leave the event entirely due to suspected illness, you will be required to surrender your badge to GDQ Staff for the duration of your isolation, or the remainder of the event. Arrangements to do so remotely may be made by emailing safety@gamesdonequick.com

You will need to arrange a return of your badge to us if you are isolating or unable to return to the event. GDQ Safety Team can arrange this with you (safety@gamesdonequick.com). You may designate someone to pick up your badge on July 3rd at 5PM (local time, CDT) at the check-in desk if you are unable to return before the event ends by emailing

If you would like to reclaim your badge, or the badge of a minor in your care after the event, you may do so by sending an email from the address associated with your Games Done Quick account to checkin@gamesdonequick.com.

Please include your full legal name as well as the full legal name of the individual who will be collecting your badge in your place if necessary. Badge pickups will be conducted on Sunday, June 4th at 5PM local time (CDT) at the check-in desk.

GDQ Management may, at their discretion, authorize a partial refund if you are unable to attend the event or must leave the event early due to COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test.

Are there any exemptions to the vaccination and masking requirements?

For the safety of all in attendance, we require vaccinations and masking for everyone. GDQ staff, volunteers, runners, charity representatives, and our partners will need to meet our requirements to enter our event space.

Please keep in mind that we are accepting a number of remote runners and volunteers, and the event will be streamed live, if you are unable to meet our requirements for attendance!

If you wish to request a vaccine medical exemption, or have an accessibility question, please contact
covidquestions@gamesdonequick.com. Medical exemptions must be verified and approved prior to attending (no later than May 12th). Those seeking medical exemptions will need to provide a signed medical exemption note by a licensed physician describing why an exemption is required. In order for the safety of all attending, those seeking exemptions must also produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 24 hours of check-in at the event. Furthermore, you will need to produce a new negative COVID-19 test each day of your attendance, no later than 12PM local time (CDT), to the check-in staff. You will be instructed via email prior to the event about which type of daily test we will require, as testing options are expected to change over time. You are responsible for locating and purchasing the necessary tests.

While we are required to accept this limited exemption, we strongly encourage you do not attend without the proper vaccinations, for your own safety.

What else is GDQ doing to maximize attendee safety?

COVID-19 safety extends beyond masks and vaccinations. In addition to the requirements for attendance, we will also be doing the following:

• We will have a dedicated team whose responsibility will be to regularly sanitize contact areas of the event space. World9 Gaming will also be sanitizing their gaming hardware each time they receive a returned item.
• The World9 Gaming staff will assist by ensuring the tournament space complies with our COVID-19 requirements, including sanitization.
• We are currently exploring options to provide all attendees at check-in with a minimum of 4 masks.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available in all event rooms.
• Event spaces have been reconfigured to allow for social distancing.

Which vaccinations are currently accepted?

This list is current as of March 10th. If new vaccines are approved, we will add them to this list. We will be accepting any combination of the following:

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration

• Moderna
• J&J (Jansen)
• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Novavax, Adjuvanted

Approved by the World Health Organization

• Sinopharm / BBIBP
• AstraZeneca / Oxford
• Covaxin
• Sinovac
• Covishield

Miscellaneous Information

Please keep in mind that these precautions can only minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection and spread, they cannot eliminate it. Every person should balance their own health and risk factors before deciding whether to attend an event or large gathering.

Games Done Quick will continue to evaluate the pandemic's developments as we approach SGDQ2023. Games Done Quick reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or move to a virtual event if it becomes too unsafe to hold in-person. Refunds for attendance fees will be issued if the event is cancelled or moved online.

If you have any other questions about the COVID-19 policy information for SGDQ 2023, please send an email to
covidquestions@gamesdonequick.com. Thank you for your interest in our event!

Document last updated: March 10th, 2023