As always, the health, safety, and well-being of our community is our top priority. Consequently, we implement and maintain policies and procedures for our live events that are intended to reduce the risk of viral infection for our guests as well as our staff and that acknowledge the most up to date guidance from the established healthcare community, including the CDC. As of March 4, 2022, all guests at Chopra events are required to present proof of either (i) full, up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19 (which includes the receipt of all recommended booster doses); or (ii) a negative nucleic acid amplification COVID-19 test, which includes PCR among other tests (click here for more information), taken no more than three (3) days prior to the start of the relevant event. Presentation of a photo ID matching the applicable vaccination or negative test documentation is required for all event attendees. Please note that antigen tests, including all home or other rapid tests, are not acceptable proof of negative testing and, further, that vaccinated individuals that are not up to date with boosters as well as unvaccinated individuals with a history of previous infection require a negative test to attend Chopra events. Due to the evolving nature of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we will update these requirements as we deem necessary. Please check this page regularly for any changes or updates to our policy. This policy is in regard to Chopra Global's large destination retreats and does not pertain to smaller retreats and programs operated at partner properties, including the Chopra Health Retreat at CIVANA – for more information about the policies applicable at CIVANA please see here.
In the event you arrive at an event without the requisite proof of vaccination or negative test results, you will not be allowed to participate in the applicable event and no refund or credit will be provided to you.
Please note that all Chopra staff working at our events as well as talent appearing at Chopra events are required to be up-to-date with respect to their COVID-19 vaccination status. We remain committed to creating a safe environment for guests that interact with Chopra staff, as well as for staff that are in close quarters together, and believe these more stringent requirements for Chopra event staff is an important component to achieving that aim.
In addition, per the CDC guidelines, we will use preventive strategies to mitigate on-site transmission, including requiring masks be worn for all indoor activities, frequent sanitizing, and practicing social distancing as much as possible. We will screen employees and guests for symptoms that may be related to COVID-19 infection and in the event of resultant concerns, will prohibit participation until testing can be conducted.
If providing proof of up-to-date vaccination
Upon on-site event check-in, event attendees providing proof of vaccination must present an original vaccination card or a printed copy of the vaccination card, along with an appropriate photo ID matching the name displayed on the card. Vaccination cards must show receipt of (i) all doses of the applicable vaccine no less than two (2) weeks prior to the start of the relevant event and (ii) all boosters (received at any time prior to the event) with respect to which the attendee is eligible, in order for vaccination to be considered up-to-date.
If providing proof of negative COVID-19 test results
Upon on-site event check-in, event attendees providing proof of negative COVID-19 test results must present a negative test record (in the form of an email or printed lab result from an identifiable, certified lab) that clearly shows the name of the tested attendee, the type of test performed, the date of the test which must be no more than three (3) days prior to check-in, and the negative test result, along with an appropriate photo ID matching the name displayed on the test record. Please remember that only negative nucleic acid amplification COVID-19 tests are acceptable – antigen tests, including all home or other rapid tests, are not acceptable proof of negative testing.
Upon your arrival we will be implementing the following procedures:
- Verification of up-to-date vaccination status (including applicable boosters) OR approved negative COVID-19 test results
- Temperature check
- Guest execution of COVID-19 waiver with attestation to statements pertaining to absence of COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors
In addition to Chopra-mandated policies and procedures, Chopra staff and event attendees are also subject to the COVID-19 policies in force at the properties at which individual events are held. These policies vary at each event venue based on numerous factors, including applicable governmental rules and regulations. Up-to-date information about the policies and procedures in place at specific event venues is available at the links below:
Chopra Health Retreat at CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa
To ensure the safety of all retreat guests, all attendees of the Chopra Health Retreat at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa are required to produce COVID-19 vaccination documentation or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to and within five (5) days of your arrival at CIVANA. If you are providing vaccination documentation, please ensure that your vaccination card shows three (3) weeks from full vaccination. If you are providing negative COVID-19 PCR test results, testing must have been conducted within seven (7) days of arrival at CIVANA via an at home testing kit or a testing center. In the event you arrive without the requisite proof of vaccination or negative test results, you will not be allowed to participate in the program and no refund or credit will be provided to you.
Proof of a vaccination or negative test results for the Chopra Health Retreat should be digitally sent to the medical team via secure upload (instructions will be sent to you via email – if you have not received already).
Suggested PCR testing services include:
Get updates on our Covid-19 policies here and learn more about CIVANA’s safety standards and procedures here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are you basing your policies on?
- Chopra Global has always been at the forefront of health and well-being, applying the wisdom of ancient healing systems and integrating this with modern science. In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that we have a spiritual perspective, yet use modern science to guide us. While we continue to use lifestyle practices to maximize our potential for healing, we can also accept the benefits of modern medicine when needed. There is no contradiction here.
- Accordingly, under the guidance of our Chief Medical Officer, we stay current on all of the medical literature and scientific discussions regarding COVID-19. Using CDC guidelines, along with advice from a range of medical experts in the field of immunology and public health, recommendations are made on company policies with the goal of reducing the risk of viral infection for our event guests as well as our staff while at the same time welcoming our global community to the transformative experiences provided at our events.
- Please note that in accordance with the changing nature of the pandemic and the relevant guidance from the established healthcare community, including the CDC, as well as any applicable governmental rules and regulations, we expect our policies to continue to evolve. Please check our website regularly for changes or updates to the foregoing.
What are Deepak's thoughts on this policy?
- Deepak is actively involved in guiding our policies and is vaccinated himself. For his insights on these matters, go here.
How long is this policy in place for?
- We closely monitor the evolving nature of the pandemic and the guidance from the established healthcare community, including the CDC, with the overarching goal to ensure that our policies for our events promote the health, safety, and well-being of our guests as well as our staff while at the same time welcomes our global community to the transformative experiences provided at our events.
- Consequently, this policy may change based on myriad factors, as we deem necessary. For the avoidance of doubt, the current policy will stay in place until we determine it is safe or necessary to change it.
How will I provide my proof of up-to-date vaccination status or negative COVID-19 test results in order to attend my Chopra retreat?
- If vaccinated, event attendees are required to provide documentation of vaccination at the time of on-site event check-in in the form of an original vaccination card or a printed copy of such vaccination card, along with an appropriate photo ID matching the name displayed on the card. Vaccination cards must show receipt of (i) all doses of the applicable vaccine no less than two (2) weeks prior to the start of the relevant event and (ii) all boosters (received at any time prior to the event) with respect to which the attendee is eligible, in order for vaccination to be considered up-to-date.
- If providing negative test results, event attendees are required to provide a negative test record (in the form of an email or printed lab result from an identifiable, certified lab) at the time of on-site event check-in that clearly shows the name of the tested attendee, the type of test performed, the date of the test which must be no later than three (3) days prior to check-in, and the negative test result, along with an appropriate photo ID matching the name displayed on the test record. Please remember that only negative nucleic acid amplification COVID-19 tests are acceptable – antigen tests, including all home or other rapid tests, are not acceptable proof of negative testing.
I was vaccinated but can't find my card. What should I do?
- If you did not receive a vaccination card or you lost it, you should first contact your vaccination provider. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining proof of vaccination from your vaccination provider, you should reach out to your state health department’s immunization information system (IIS). All vaccination providers must report COVID-19 vaccinations to the applicable IIS. You can find state IIS information on the CDC website. State health departments will either email or mail a copy of your vaccination card, although it may take several weeks for you to receive it.
What is meant by "up-to-date vaccination" or "fully vaccinated?"
- Per CDC definitions, a person is "fully vaccinated" two (2) weeks following their receipt of a primary series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. A person is considered "up-to-date" on vaccination if they have additionally received all recommended booster doses with respect to which they are eligible. To attend a Chopra event you must have up-to-date vaccination status or provide negative results from a nucleic acid amplification COVID-19 test, which includes PCR among other tests (see here for more information).
Will I still need to wear a mask at the retreat? Why?
- Yes, we are still requiring masks be worn indoors at our events. At this time there is evidence of the potential for transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including both the Delta and Omicron variants, among vaccinated people. In addition, due to the potential for false negative test results in early asymptomatic disease, there is still risk of transmission in tested individuals. This risk is significantly reduced with masks, especially when it is challenging to maintain 6 feet of distance.
What are you doing to prevent asymptomatic spread of COVID-19?
- We recognize that vaccinated individuals, although at lesser risk than unvaccinated individuals, may still carry and transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus and further, that there is the potential for false negative test results or the contraction of COVID-19 between the time of testing and the start of the applicable event. Depending on the event venue, attendees may also interact on-site with individuals that are not subject to our policies and procedures such as venue employees and other hotel guests. While we will screen Chopra employees and event attendees for symptoms that may be related to COVID-19 infection and, in the event of resultant concerns, prohibit participation until testing can be conducted, some individuals with whom you interact may carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus and be asymptomatic. Accordingly, we are following additional on-site precautions to mitigate potential transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus including requiring attendees to wear masks while indoors, promoting social distancing and implementing enhanced sanitation procedures.
I already had COVID-19 so chose to not receive vaccination. Would I still need to get vaccinated or present a negative test to attend a Chopra retreat?
- Data continues to emerge, however at this time it has been shown that individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection can still become reinfected with the virus. And although previous infection does provide some protection against reinfection, the presence of antibody in the blood does not predict the level of immunity. It remains uncertain to what degree and for how long individuals with antibodies are protected against re-infection with SARS-CoV-2, or what concentration of antibodies may be needed to provide such protection or prevent transmission. In addition, after initial infection, the chance of reinfection goes down considerably if vaccinated. Accordingly, unvaccinated individuals with a history of previous infection require a negative test to attend Chopra events.
Why are you requiring the nucleic acid amplification tests and not the antigen tests?
- Laboratory-based NAATs are considered the most sensitive tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2. Antigen tests generally have lower sensitivity than NAAT tests, especially in asymptomatic people, therefore are more likely to show false negative results.
I registered for my retreat prior to this policy change (3/4/2022). Why have you made this change now?
- We closely monitor the evolving nature of the pandemic and the guidance from the established healthcare community, including the CDC, with the overarching goal to ensure that our policies for live events promote the health, safety, and well-being of our guests and staff while at the same time welcomes our global community to the transformative experiences provided at our events.
- This change recognizes the recent abatement in infections in the United States from the Omicron variant and is less restrictive than the policy that preceded it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this policy may change, including by way of the re-introduction of more stringent requirements, as we deem necessary.
My question isn't listed here. Who can I ask?
- If your question was not answered by our FAQs, please reach out to your Chopra Program Consultant. You may reach out to them directly via email or phone. If you cannot locate your Program Consultant's contact information, you may contact us at joinus@chopra.com or 888-736-6895.
