Houston Regional Office

COVID-19 Safety Protocols for the AAA-ICDR^® 
Houston Regional Office & Hearing Center

Important Safety Protocols and Procedures

Visitors are welcome, but not required, to wear a face mask while visiting the AAA. However, if a visitor has had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or someone who is presumed positive for COVID-19, and CDC guidance does not recommend that the visitor remain in quarantine or isolation, the visitor should wear a face mask when visiting the AAA in keeping with current CDC guidance.

If a visitor is symptomatic for COVID-19 on the day of their visit, they should refrain from entering AAA offices.

If a visitor has recently tested positive for, or is presumed positive for, COVID-19, and CDC guidelines recommend that they remain in quarantine or isolation, they should refrain from entering AAA offices.

Stations throughout the hearing facility supply hand-sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Limited number of acrylic partitions available upon request.

For additional information, please see our COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Visitors to the American Arbitration Association Offices.

Planning Your Hearing

The AAA-ICDR aims to make available as many of our valued amenities as possible given current COVID-19 guidance. Please contact us to find out more about which amenities are currently available.

A Hybrid Approach to Hearings

Hearings may take a hybrid approach, where some arbitrators, parties, representatives, and others appear in person while others participate virtually. The AAA-ICDR can assist with these alternative hearing arrangements.

Video Conferencing Technology

The Houston Regional Office is outfitted with the following video conferencing technology:

• Wireless content display
• Wireless content sharing
• Wireless Internet access
• VOIP audio conferencing room-based system/conference phone
• Room-based PC
• Wall-mounted commercial-grade monitors and projection displays
• Tabletop touchpad capable of controlling all room technology
  

Please see the documents below for further guidance:

Virtual Hearing Guide for Arbitrators and Parties
Virtual Hearing Guide for Arbitrators and Parties Utilizing ZOOM
Order and Procedures for a Virtual Hearing via Videoconference