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Communicable Disease Response Plan

Updated August 8, 2021

The Richmond Rockets Speed Skating club has prepared a Communicable Disease Response Plan to minimize the risk of transmission of the Communicable Diseases such as the COVID-19 virus, based on current BCSSA Guidelines.  A summary of the policy is below. Failure to comply will result in the participant’s removal from activities.

  1. All skaters (“participants”), coaches, associates, volunteers and guardians (“support personnel”) will each be required to conduct daily symptom screening using a wellness questionnaire or self-assessment on the RRSSC Health Declaration page before coming to each practice.
  2. No spitting policy will be enforced.
  3. All participants, support personnel and spectators must wear non-medical masks (also known as face coverings) when not on the ice. This includes all club off-ice gatherings and activities, such as check-in areas, and pick up areas, whether indoor or outdoors. Entry to the facility will be denied if no masks are worn.
  4. Non-medical masks are acceptable except for vented masks. Masks must be secure and not at risk of falling off during practice.
  5. Parents are permitted at practice to assist their child with their equipment provided they maintain a minimum of 2 meters distance between themselves and others
  6. Participants must maintain physical distance with the exception of active skating activities on ice (ie. Must maintain physical distance during warm-up, dryland training, during coach instruction on the ice and during rest periods).
  7. Do not touch equipment other than your own – mats are setup and take down by Oval and Coach only. Avoid touching boards, mats.
  8. Wipes will be made available for use in the event a skater crashes into the mats during the practice. Coaches will be responsible for wiping the mats if needed.
  9. Arrive 15 minutes before practice to allow adequate time and follow designated one-way paths to entrances and exits.

Updates to the guidelines will be posted and communicated to skaters as the situation changes via TeamSnap and e-mail. It is mandatory for skaters or parents to install the TeamSnap app on their devices.

While we do hope things will return to normal in the not too distant future, currently this will be the new normal until we are advised otherwise by public health authorities. Our Return to Sport Policy is based on current public health guidance. While we are all doing our best to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19, as the virus circulates in our communities it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk. Each participant must make their own decision as to whether it is in their best interest to resume participation at this time. You must take into account your own circumstances and make the decision that is right for you. Should you choose to join us, we require your full cooperation with our Return to Sport Policy.

Communicable Disease Response Plan – August 8, 2021

Links to guidelines from governing bodies:

Richmond Olympic Oval – COVID-19 Safety

BC Speed Skating Association Safety

viaSport

BC Province Wide Restrictions

Speed Skating Canada – COVID-19

Where there are differing policies given by separate organizations, the guideline is that the most restrictive policy apply.

Updated 03-04-2021