Pandemic Safety and Disinfectant Protocols 2020/2021

Due to the ongoing pandemic due to COVID-19, if the Teeswater Curling Club is going to have a curling season during the winter of 2020/2021 we are required to follow safety and disinfectant protocols to reduce the spread of the virus.  The Board of Director meetings and the General Meeting held on October 20, 2020 the following guidelines are to be implemented for this curling season and we ask all members of the curling club to follow them as closely as possible.  If the province mandates that recreational facilities must close during the season, a prorated refund for paid memberships will be distributed, with the condition that expenses must be covered.

In the Lounge

• Masks must be worn into the club

• For contact tracing, we have a record of each curler for each night so signing in is not required.  If there are any spares curling they will need to sign in with their name, date and contact information.

• Once seated, masks can be removed but worn when moving around the lounge

• We can have a maximum of 32 curlers on the ice or in the lounge at one time.  If a spectator arrives, they cannot enter the lounge till curlers exit to the ice surface and must leave before the curlers come off the ice.

• The change rooms can be used, only 4 people at a time.  It is encouraged that curlers come prepared to curl.  Shoes can be changed in the lounge.

• To minimize crowding in the lounge before 8pm, it is encouraged that curlers go into the rink area when ready.

• There will be a designated bartender each night, with that person only working the cash register and accessing the alcohol from the cooler.  It is recommended that a person from the team that is off the ice and into the lounge first is designated as the night’s bartender. This should be someone who is prepared to stay until or close to last call.  If the designated bartender has to leave prior to last call, another person will take over.  Their name will be written on the whiteboard beside the door to the kitchen so everyone knows who it is.  Before working the cash register or going into the cooler to serve drinks they are to use hand sanitizer and wear a mask.  It is encouraged that when anyone needs a drink that a call goes out to the rest of the lounge that drinks can be purchased at that time.  Purchasers can form a line 6ft from the bar and maintain social distancing between each other.  The bartender will place beer cases on the bar counter for patrons to place their own empties.  They should sanitize their hands afterwards.

• Last call at the bar is 11pm.

• At the end of the night each table and chairs is expected to be wiped down by those seated there before it is vacated.

• All door knobs and handles, touch surfaces are to be sanitized by the last people to leave for the night.

Ice Surface

• Maintain social distancing at all times

• Masks while on the ice are recommended but not required

• Each team will clean their rocks with sanitary wipes before the game and after

• Shoe cleaner will be fixed to the on position for all to use, alternatively the handle can be pulled to the on position with a broom head 

• If a broom or push stick belonging to the club is used, it should be sanitized before and after use.

• No touching rocks other than each curler’s designated rocks

• One sweeper at a time, beginning no sooner than the hog line (a minimum of 6 ft from the curler delivering the rock) and must stop at the top of the house.

• One skip in the house at a time

• Non-throwing team will stand on the N edge of their sheet, maintaining social distancing from each other.  Curlers on sheet D can stand on the boards on the S edge of the sheet.

• No sweeping by skips, their team’s rocks or their opponents