ORFC 2024

COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES

The Government has removed all restrictions relating to Covid-19. However, the well-being and safety of all Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) members is extremely important to the Real Farming Trust and ORFC team and have put in place the following safety procedures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission:

Minimising crowding

• Two additional venues have been added to spread out sessions. 
• Room capacity limits will be strictly enforced. All delegates must be seated on a seat. No standing or sitting on the floor will be permitted.
• Breaks between sessions are extended to minimise crowding immediately before and after sessions.
• Early registration has been extended on 3rd January to minimise crowding in queues. All delegates will be able to register from 6pm to 9pm in St Aldates Church on Wednesday, 3rd January.

Cleaning 

• Hand sanitiser will be provided at registration tables.
• Venues will be regularly cleaned in accordance with their own Covid-19 policies.

Ventilation

• Windows and doors left open where possible to improve ventilation.

Important information for attendees

The most important action that all attendees can take is not to travel to the conference if you have symptoms even if they are mild. Please help us to protect the other delegates by not putting them at risk.

All in-person tickets include full access to the online conference.

If you have symptoms of Covid-19 before or during the conference, please follow the guidance on isolation and testing on the NHS website.

Once at the conference, ORFC attendees are required to observe the following measures to protect the health and well-being of all attendees, venue staff and contractors:

• Respect room capacities. Please note that all delegates will be required to be seated in chairs during sessions. 
• Be respectful and kind to ORFC volunteers and venue staff. 
• Follow guidance from ORFC stewards to avoid crowding.
• Do not attend the conference if you begin to feel unwell or test positive for Covid-19 during the event 

Personal Risk

Whilst we have put into place the above safety precautions, we advise everyone to make a personal risk assessment to determine appropriateness of attendance. Each attendee should weigh their personal and financial risk. ORFC will not cover any costs that you incur as a result of falling ill prior to, during or after the conference.

Symptoms of Covid-19

According to the NHS, symptoms of Covid-19 can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

Changes to these procedures

We reserve the right to change these procedures at any time and at short notice for any reason. 

Please make sure you regularly review these procedures prior to attending the conference.