Eventually restrictions from our Provincial, Territorial and Federal governments and health authorities will lessen, however, Curling Canada understands there may be concerns on the part of your members, renters and staff as we return to play the game of curling. The safety of your customers and staff is frst and the foremost principle in decision making for the near future.
With the assistance of various sources including input from a number of curling club managers, here are the “guidelines” established for returning-to-play at Canadian curling rinks.
While these guidelines are national by nature, you and your club must follow the authority of relevant agencies in your community / municipality / province / territory to customize your own plan. Further, these best practices may be expanded or changed based on evolving guidance from your governing authorities. Use this document as a guide to develop your own program for start-up this Fall. What may be a physical distancing restriction in one province may be a very different restriction in another jurisdiction. A locker room may be closed in Toronto but may be a fully accessible area in St. John's, NL.
These guidelines were designed for 8 people per sheet of ice considering restrictive physical distancing recommendations. If physical distancing recommendations are not as restrictive in your jurisdiction, adjust as you see fit to meet their mandated requirements. For example, you may be able to use locker rooms, or you can have two sweepers.
These guidelines target four areas to consider for any return-to-play policies:
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Authorities
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Curlers / Staff
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Building
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Programming / Planning
Board & staff to review any risks and/or complete a risk assessment
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Create an ad hoc committee to oversee returning to play. The committee could / should include your senior management, cleaning staff and ice technician.
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Source rules & guidelines from your applicable health authority. The rules in one community may be very different from another. Customize your plan.
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Agenda items:
◦ Keep track of all updates from all applicable health authorities including updates from your provincial / territorial curling member association;
◦ Observe all applicable physical distancing guidelines;
◦ Report any COVID-19 cases to your local health authorities and your provincial / territorial curling member association.