We are closely monitoring the state of the pandemic. The health and safety of attendees and the local community is a top priority. The state of South Dakota strongly values personal liberties, so current campus guidelines forbid us from placing any COVID-19-related requirements on attendees, but we strongly encourage all attendees to be fully vaccinated (including boosters), wear masks, be tested as appropriate, and generally follow CDC recommendations as linked from https://covid.sd.gov/. We are planning the following policies in order to improve everyone's safety:
- Rooms used will have significantly higher capacity than the number of expected participants. Workshop talks will be in the EEP 252/253/254 combined room, with seating capacity 244. The poster session and reception will be in the Surbeck ballroom, which has capacity for 500.
- An outside space (under an unwalled tent) will be available for eating lunch and for coffees/snacks.
- Buses for transportation (for optional tours, and for those desiring them for transportation between hotels and campus) will have higher capacity than needed.
- Various options of single-person accommodations are available.
International Travel Information:
As the requirements widely vary for each country, citizenship and resident status, we strongly recommend to get the latest information from the local US Embassy for traveling to the US, as well as local entry requirements returning from the US. General information and country-specific information can also be found at International Travel Information (CDC).
Local COVID-19 Testing:
Generally, various COVID-19 testing arrangements are available in the US and in South Dakota. Low or no-cost COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the US, including the uninsured, at health centers and select pharmacies, if you show symptoms. At-home tests are available at pharmacies and drug stores, and may even be distributed for free at international arrival in the US by airlines and/or airport staff.
Laboratory-based COVID-19 testing for travel purposes (no symptoms), may result in significant costs. Please ensure to ask for details, before making an appointment at a local pharmacy or health center.
For visitors to South Dakota Mines, the nearest health center providing testing is Monument Health Urgent Care Laboratory at 2116 Jackson Blvd, 57702 Rapid City. The cost for non-covered COVID-19 testing is $225.
Alternatively, Walgreens (nationwide pharmacy chain) offers drive-thru COVID-19 testing at three locations in Rapid City (use ZIP code 57701 for search, Mt Rushmore Rd or Mountain View Rd recommended). As listed in the FAQ, the cost for diagnostic tests (PCR and Rapid NAAT) for un-insured patients for non-covered purposes is $129.
For both locations, online scheduling typically show availability for appointments for same day or next day.
