Greetings, For those of you who don’t know me – I am Illadore de Bedegrayne, and I am the Kingdom Seneschal for the Kingdom of AEthelmearc – which is the Kingdom where Pennsic occurs. Because of that, Pennsic falls under AEthelmearc’s Covid policies so let’s get into them.

We’re going to discuss COVIDSafe, Masking, and what to do if you get sick at Pennsic.

First and foremost, we are following the SCA’s COVIDSafe policy. You can read it in full here, but the short summary is that everyone five years old and up must either show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or proof of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of check-in, that has been issued by a medical facility. (It cannot be a regular home test.)

Some important points:

• This is required. If you do not have either a negative test or proof of vaccination, you will be turned away, regardless of how far you have traveled, or your status in the SCA. The local testing centers may be full. Your entry to Pennsic will likely be delayed hours, if not days. Please come prepared and please let others who do not do social media know as well.
• Electronic versions of proof of vaccination or a negative test are OK.
• There will be no menacing the CovidSafe checkers at Troll. Please be kind to these staff members. They are trying to help you get through the line as quickly as possible. Anyone that starts yelling at them, bullying, acting disrespectfully, or being abusive to them will be told to remove themselves from the property immediately for the duration of Pennsic War.
• Please be advised that the SCA COVIDSafe policies are for attendees. The landowners, their staff, and some of the food vendors (who don’t participate in the event) are not covered under this policy or the mask policy. There will be no menacing, yelling, or bullying of them either.

Next – masks:
AEthelmearc has a two part masking policy.

• Part 1 – if you are unvaccinated, you must wear a mask at all times in public areas.This does not include when you are in your private camp – anywhere out in public, you must wear a mask over your mouth and nose. Kids – yes, this includes kids age 2 and above. Again, this is for outside your private camp, and in public areas.
• Part 2 – Any place that is inside, when Covid transmission is high or substantial on the CDC transmission map (not the community level), everyone must wear a mask.

What is inside?:

• Troll, due to its high density and volume is considered inside and masks are required at Troll.
• The Great Hall/Big Giant Barn is considered inside if the doors are down, the laundry area, bathhouses, and trailers used by the SCA. Of note, the upper level of the Cooper shower house next to the Cooper Store will be closed and locked for Pennsic 49. The upper bathrooms will still be accessible from the deck. Please let families with older children and teenagers know that they will not be able to hangout and play games inside the shower house like they have in previous years.

What is outside?

• All Pennsic tents – save Troll. The Great Hall if all of the doors are open. And of course, outside.
• (The Cooper Store and Internet Cafe is not part of the event and does not fall under this policy.)

Side note – Private camps can set their own rules for masks in their own camps / tent areas.