NVSC Covid Information for our Figure Skating Programs

 As always please follow proper hygiene as noted below and be safe.

Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others. Please use the following precautions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with regular household cleaners or Wipes
• Avoid physical contact and getting too close to others, including shaking hands and hugging.
• If you are a healthy individual, the use of a mask is recommended only for entering the arena and exiting. Skaters do not need to wear during their on ice sessions.

If you are sick or have any symptoms of respiratory illness such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, please stay at home, consult with your physician or public heath authorities and follow their instructions. Limit contact with others and avoid interaction with individuals who are ill.

• The activity must always comply with the physical distancing, cleaning and sanitizing measures, and recommendations issued by federal, provincial and municipal government authorities, including the arrival, time spent on site and departure of skaters. 
• Limit your activities to practice and private lessons or lessons with small groups. If lessons with small groups occur, social distancing measures must be followed. 
• No more than 14 people (including skaters & coaches) may be on ice or in rink at anytime. Unless facility numbers are higher.

•  Coaches and skaters have the choice to wear a non-medical face mask, Wearing a face mask while skating is optional and Public Health recommends masks not be worn during intense exercise such as skating.
• Maintaining a distance of 2 metres from non-family members at all times is required on and off the ice.
• Skaters cannot enter the facility until the door is opened for them 5 minutes prior to their schedule time, and must leave immediately following their session. Skaters should have skates on before entering
• Physical distancing and provincial/facility occupancy maximum must be respected at all times. Be advised the advice from the BCYK Section is for parents to not enter the rink at this time, or watch practices.
• Do not share personal items. Food is not allowed in the arena. Snacks can be eaten outside. While on the ice you can have your guards, water bottle, and Kleenex must be placed in the area designated to you.
• There will be no physical contact between skaters and coaches unless medical attention is required. Coaches will coach from a designated spot by the boards, with markings on the ice to demonstrate a 2 metre distance. When necessary to demonstrate a skill, coaches may leave their designated spot but will still maintain physical distancing. 
• Skaters must register and pay for sessions at least 48 hours in advance online, and no drop-ins will be permitted at this time.
• Skaters, coaches and program staff will have a daily verbal screening for symptoms upon arrival at the building and before participation. This could be executed by an adult supervisor, or Covid Rep. who will also make sure that social distancing guidelines and traffic flow are being followed. 
• Dressing rooms should not be used. (Discretion of facility) Skaters and coaches should put skates on in an open area marked for social distancing, or outside/in the car or at home prior to entering facility.
• Parents should not be in the building and should drop off and pick up skaters at designated times. (Only our parent helpers/Covid Rep., music player etc) Look for clearly marked entrance and a separate exit.
• Have only 1 person operating the music equipment, video, harness or any other teaching aids. Make sure to clean and sanitize any equipment immediately after use. 
• Used facial tissue and/or kleenex must go directly into the garbage can after use. No used tissues allowed on the rink boards. 
• A record of all skaters and coaches will be kept on each session, so that you can contact them if needed, for example, if an infected person used your facility. 
• Clean all skating gloves, and attire before next session.

 Skaters, coaches and program staff may not participate if they: 

o Exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms, such as a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms identified by health experts. 

o Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. 

o Are considered vulnerable or at risk (elderly individuals, immuno suppressed persons, individuals suffering from serious health problems, notably high blood pressure, pulmonary diseases, diabetes,  and asthma). 

The Covid information is every changing, and we will do our best to keep everyone up to date. For the most recent information you can always check the Section website, Covid Information page.

https://www.skatinginbc.com/news/skate-canada-bcyk-covid-19-information