Greetings from Illadore.

As you have likely seen, the SCA is allowing Kingdoms to adopt their new COVID Policy. In consultation with Their Majesties and Duke Christopher (our Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for Pandemics), Æthelmearc *will* be adopting that policy and it will go into effect next Monday, October 4th.

We want to give the Kingdom a week to come up with their questions and get prepared. The policy requires that everyone over the age of 11 (so 12 and up) to either show their proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within the past 72 hours.

The Board of Directors has also clarified that by “events”, they are using the Corpora definition. This means any event, practice, gathering, meeting or anything else we do in physical spaces is covered by this policy. (Obviously, you do not have to show your vaccine card to attend a Zoom.)

We know this is going to be a burden for some and others will choose not to attend. I understand your feelings and I sincerely hoped we would not be in this position at this time. Unfortunately, the pandemic is continuing and we still have widespread community transmission in every county in Æthelmearc. It is our assessment this policy will make those attending AE events safer for more people. We feel this is the way towards getting back to a “more normal.”

This also means our first actual “event event” that will require the policy will be the Æthelmearc October 9th Crown Tourney. There will be no exceptions to the policy for that event. Everyone who attends who is 12 and up must be vaccinated or show proof of a negative test within 72 hours of the event.

This is going to require a change in how we do a few things – first and foremost, we will have to check-in first at an event. This will likely slow down trolling in, so you may have to add time into your plans.

We know you have many questions. I will be doing more updates in the near future (including a summary of all the policy rules for Æthelmearc) and His Grace Duke Christopher and I will be holding a Zoom town hall next Tuesday.

Stay safe my friends,

Monica Gaudio
Regional Vice President, SCA Æthelmearc

Illadore de Bedegrayne
Kingdom Seneschal
She/Her They/Them