COVID-19 SAFTEY PROTOCOL
- General Health: If you are feeling ill, running a fever or having respiratory issues, please do not come to the rink.
- Coin Flip: Only one curler should handle the coin, preferably with a gloved hand. Winning team will decide on hammer or not and preferred stone color.
- Stones: Each curler will be responsible for and handle their own two stones - Lead: 1-2, Second: 3-4, Third: 5-6, Skip: 7-8. Stones are to be sanitized after each game. When it comes time to put stones away, each curler is responsible for putting their two stones away into cabinet.
- Beverages on the ice: Clearly mark sealed drinking containers and be sure they are stored at a safe distance away from other beverage containers.
- Masks: Based on USA Curling’s consultations with medical professionals such as the USOPC Chief Medical Officer, along with the recommendations of the CDC, USA Curling recommends that the wearing of a mask is required when curling. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets, thus making it imperative to minimize the transmission of these droplets to fellow curlers by wearing a cloth face covering, especially when competing.
- Game Start Positions - Alternate End Game Starts: Games will be assigned to start at alternating ends of the ice to reduce pre-game congestion behind the hacks and backboard areas.
- Handshakes: Forego the traditional pre and post-game handshakes, as well as the popular alternative of elbow taps and broom taps. Opponents and teammates should be wished a good game or “Good Curling” from a safe social distance that does not involve any contact.
- Designated Player Positions: Clearly define where each player on the ice should be located. Meaning, all players should know exactly where to be positioned depending on whether it is their team’s turn to throw.
- Sweepers: Teams should only utilize one sweeper at a time. The other sweeper can be stationed at a location that will allow them to time the ice and be an active participant in the shot, just in a different way. To eliminate any gray area regarding social distancing precautions that might arise as a shot enters the house, eliminate any sweeping behind the tee line. To reduce congestion, the throwing team will be the only team sweeping during their throw. Impacted stones can be swept by the throwing team if it is their stone that is impacted and is above the tee.
- Rock Timing (alternative to the second sweeper): An opportunity exists with the “second sweeper” to keep teams of 4 intact and the fourth position active on the ice. The player who is non-sweeping can be located at an appropriate distance from their teammates and equipped with a stopwatch to time rocks (one stopwatch should be used per person).
- Game Flow: As the delivering team begins to throw, the alternate team should then begin to approach the throwing positions from their waiting positions. Once the team has thrown, they will then occupy the waiting position in a socially-distanced flow.
- Score Marking: Have only one score marker per game. Sanitation should be located by each scoreboard and at the conclusion of each game, the scoring numbers should be disinfected.
- Exiting the Ice: Enter the ice at the North end of the rink after cleaning off potential dirt from your shoes. Exit ice using the Zamboni entrance on the West side of the rink.