COVID-19 POLICY

New Jersey DECA (NJ DECA) strives to create and maintain a healthy and safe environment for all stakeholders in providing programming and activities for its members. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused NJ DECA to institute protocols for the health and safety of the entire DECA community. These protocols take into consideration federal, state, and local public health guidance, the needs of vulnerable populations, and the mission of DECA and are necessary to safely resume in-person activities and large-scale events. These protocols must be adhered to by all schools and members participating in upcoming NJDECA in-person events. 

Effective January 1, 2022, students and school personnel attending any in-person event are required to have at least received the final dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by January 1, 2022 and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by February 1, 2022 or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. It shall be the responsibility of the sending school to verify such proof of vaccination or negative testing prior to traveling to any NJDECA event. 

Attendees are considered fully vaccinated 14 days following receipt of a final dose of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized or approved vaccine. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination shall be in accordance with acceptable documents as per the New Jersey Department of Health.

Proof of COVID-19 testing shall consist of a printout or digital copy of a negative PCR/molecular test (sampled within 72 hours of the event) administered by a healthcare professional, which includes the date and name of the provider. Self-administered, at-home or rapid/antigen tests are not acceptable.

Proof of vaccination or proof of testing shall be submitted directly to the sending school. Prior to the event, the sending school shall provide a signed statement of assurance to NJDECA that all attendees meet the vaccination or proof of testing requirement.  Schools shall not permit anyone who does not meet these requirements to attend a NJDECA event, and a violation of this will cause the entire delegation to be unseated, all awards forfeited, and the entire delegation to be sent home at the school’s expense.

All attendees will be required to wear a face mask that fully covers the nose and mouth when in any public spaces, except when eating or drinking or in an assigned hotel room, during all NJDECA events. All attendees must also observe all instructional signs posted by the host facility and/or NJDECA.

Failure by an attendee to comply with these protocols may result in forfeiture of award and honors and expulsion from the NJDECA event, at the sole discretion of NJDECA. For multiple or egregious violations, attendees may be suspended from all DECA events for the remainder of the year (including revocation of the privilege to compete in events, receive awards, receive scholarships, or be eligible to attend ICDC).  Notice of violations will also be transmitted to the sending school for disciplinary action, as appropriate.

NJDECA may revise these protocols from time-to-time depending on the rate of transmission of COVID-19 in the surrounding community and the recommendations of local and state health officials. Notice of changes to these protocols will be given by the State Advisor or State Executive Director to the DECA community through Advisor communication.

NJ DECA COVID-19 Policy Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Does everyone need to be vaccinated?

A. No.  Students and staff members who choose to not be vaccinated shall submit to testing.  

Q. Who will pay for testing?

A. Testing is the responsibility of the member and/or the school.  However, free testing is available throughout NJ.  There are 400+ locations across the state to obtain testing from, and many locations and suppliers offer free testing.  Please visit https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing to see where testing is available in your area.  

Q. What if an attendee cannot get results prior to the event?

A. The attendee may not attend.

Q. Is there a religious exemption?

A. The testing option is the reasonable accommodation we are making for medical, religious, or other belief-based exemption requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  There is no exemption from the option of being vaccinated or being tested.  

Q. What proof will need to be shown for testing or vaccination?

A. All data will be collected at the school level, and the school will submit a COVID-19 Statement of Assurances, certifying that all attendees from your chapter meet the criteria of being vaccinated or having a negative test.  NJ DECA will not be collecting any data from students.  All personally identifiable information shall remain in the custody of the school district.

Q. What if someone refuses the testing or vaccination?

A. Put simply, they cannot attend the conference.  DECA has plenty of other opportunities to participate as members, such as virtual challenges and other events, and they remain eligible for scholarships, and other programs.

Q. Can I get a refund for a student if they choose not to attend?

A. Up through the commencement of online testing, you may submit conference registration changes to the state office, however, once online testing begins, there will be no refunds.

Q. Will there be opportunities for students to compete virtually if they choose not to attend the conference?

A. Students may take advantage of DECA’s virtual business challenges, team challenges, chapter campaigns, and recognition programs outside of the standard competitive events program, which are all benefits of DECA Membership.  Competitive events are only one element of DECA membership, and students will have access to all of these other programs.

Q. Will students be required to be masked?

A. Yes, at all times when not eating or drinking, or sleeping in an overnight guestroom.  This is subject to change, based upon guidance from the Governor of the State of New Jersey, the State Commissioners of Health and Education, best practices, and state and local regulations.

Q. When is the statement of assurances due?

A. The statement of assurance, which needs to be signed by an administrator and school health official, will be due upon check-in at the event.

Q. Will Judges and volunteers be required to submit to the same protocols?

A. Yes, they will be required to follow the same protocols as all other attendees.

Download a PDF Copy of the Policies and Statement of Assurance Here.