COVID-19
March 7, 2021
We want to thank all of our followers for your continued support during this pandemic. At this time, Kigacon is not planning a 2021 in-person convention. So, we want to bring our convention experience home to you!
Please check out our online survey and let us know your thoughts. We'll post more updates soon.
September 4, 8:30 p.m.
Ladies, gentleman, and cosplayers,
We appreciate your patience with the Kigacon Staff during this pandemic. We continue to revise and refine our policies as new information is made available about public health and safety.
In light of the fact that a coronavirus vaccine is not yet available, we have decided to further postpone the convention. Due to our limited number of staff, we would be unable to properly enforce social distancing and mask-usage guidelines.
While we are waiting for ‘the world to open back up,’ we are exploring the option of a digital convention floor. This would include, and is not limited to, a digital vendors’ hall, panels, guest appearances, and online cosplay meetups; those who are currently registered for Kigacon 2020 would be granted access to these online events and to our next on-site convention. We are still in the planning phase of our online platform, and there are more details to come.
What would make an online convention experience more meaningful for you? Have you attended any online conventions this year? If so, what did you like or dislike about the experience? Let us know in the comments or by sending us a message.
Know that your safety is our top priority. We hope to see you at our next convention and appreciate your ongoing support. Above all, we really miss you guys!
Stay safe!
March 12, 12:30 p.m.
Christopher Newport University has elected to cancel all large events on campus, citing growing concerns over the COVID-19 virus. As of March 12, 12:30 p.m., Kigacon 2020 is now postponed. We are in the process of selecting new dates for our 2020 convention and will have more information in the coming weeks.
We have disabled registration on our website. Attendees, artists and vendors who registered between March 9, 2020 and March 11, 2020 are eligible for a refund. Individuals who registered prior to this date are eligible for free entry to the postponed convention or to Kigacon 2021; additional refunds will be processed on a case-by-case basis. Refund requests, concerns, and questions should be directed to our COVID-19 response email at covid19.kigacon@gmail.com.
We are saddened by the postponement of Kigacon 2020 but are heartened by the university’s dedication to maintaining public safety. Know that your safety is our top priority.
We hope to see you at our next convention and appreciate your ongoing support.
Tuesday, March 10
As of Tuesday, March 10, we plan to proceed with the Kigacon 2020 convention. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has confirmed eight cases of COVID-19 in Virginia located in the following areas: Arlington, Quantico Marine Base, Spotsylvania County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Virginia Beach; a couple from Virginia Beach has tested “presumptive positive” (Freeman Jr., 2020). They recently traveled on a Nile River cruise, where other cases were reported. According to Virginia Department Health, “All reported cases in Virginia have been travel related and there is no evidence of community transmission of COVID-19 in Virginia” (2020, March 10).
Kigacon Staff abides by Christopher Newport University's policy on COVID-19, which can be found here.
We are taking extra precautions to preserve the safety and wellbeing of our attendees. University staff have taken additional steps to clean and disinfect heavily used spaces, which includes the Freeman Center building where Kigacon 2020 is located. University personnel are in regular contact with the VDH and continue to monitor events related to COVID-19.
Currently, CNU has not postponed any games, performance, or on-campus conferences. Should COVID-19 spread in the Tidewater area, we will defer to the university on how to handle COVID-19's development; this may result in the postponement of the Kigacon 2020 convention to a later date. If the convention is postponed, we will notify you via email, our website, and social media.
We appreciate your support during this time. As always, we encourage attendees to practice good hygiene. While COVID-19 is on everyone's mind, it is still flu season, and the following practices are strongly recommended:
-Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
-Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
-Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness.
-Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
-Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. Throw all used tissues into the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.
-Stay home when you are sick.
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with flu or with COVID-19, please stay home, and we hope you get better soon. If you have traveled to affected areas and believe you may be at risk of contracting COVID-19, please stay home. If you fall into one of the above two categories and have already registered, please reach out, and we will offer case-by-case refunds.
We look forward to seeing you at Kigacon 2020. Let's have a fun, safe convention!
Sources:
http://cnu.edu/public/safety/coronavirus/
https://apic.org/news/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources/