COVID19

16th DSBS conference will be organized as a hybrid meeting, combining an onsite meeting for delegates who can travel (up to 350 persons), with full access online for those who cannot, while aiming to promote as much interactions as possible between the two types of delegates.

The 16h DSBS will be held online and onsite in Brest. However, due to the global pandemic situation, we must ensure the safety of delegates traveling and meeting at the conference.

In consequence, if the meeting should switch to a full online meeting, delegates will be proposed to change their registration from onsite to online. In this case, the difference in the registration fee will be reimbursed.

The current situation in France requires that, starting on August 1st,  a health pass will be mandatory  for events including more than 50 people (https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus – the English version of the website is unfortunately not up to date). This means that to be able to access the conference, every participant must show a proof of full vaccination or present the proof of a negative PCR test (<72 hours). If a valid health pass cannot be shown by participants, access to the conference will be refused.

Negative PCR tests have to be renewed every third day to be valid (<72 hours). Tests can be organized in local pharmacies in Brest at your own costs (49 EUR per test). You can also book your PCR test online here. A temporary QR code will be generated by a French healthcare professional following a negative RT-PCR or antigen test.

Moreover, in order to facilitate the stay of non-European tourists in France (and therefore the access to the symposium), the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs set up a specific mechanism, since 9 August 2021 for issuing a COVID vaccine certificate of equivalence which is valid on French territory. Click here to apply for this certificate (procedure for non-European tourists) and here  for French nationals abroad.

However, if vaccination is not possible for you and you are planning to present negative PCR tests to access the conference, please let us know (dsbs21@ifremer.fr) and we will do our best to help you organize testing.

As the situation might still evolve before the conference, we advise you to follow the recommendations below and make sure you have a:

  • repatriation insurance (Ifremer will not take in charge repatriation costs)
  • health insurance to cover pandemic
  • refundable ticket which can also be changed

We will of course keep you updated of evolution regarding the conference program and proposed solutions.

Safety measures in Océanopolis:

  • mask must be worn indoors, even when seated
  • hand sanitiser dispensers are available at the entrance
  • respect of a physical distancing at all times
  • systematic cleaning of microphones between each use

To stay informed about the symposium, please do not hesitate to:

Pharmacies performing COVID tests