COVID 19 FAQs – as asked by our umpires and coaches
At the Coaching and Development Conference, and the Umpire Refresher Event held earlier this season, both workforces were asked to form ‘break out groups’ and discuss areas of interest to them.
This year, the subject of Covid-19 – the protocols, measures and guidance – was unsurprisingly very high up the agenda.
We have put together a summary of the most asked questions below, in the hope that members also find this information useful.
These FAQs have already been emailed to our workforce.
UMPIRE REFRESHER EVENT
FACE COVERINGS
If it’s optional for players to wear masks when on the ice, why do umpires have to wear them the whole time?
As per Scottish Government guidance, in indoor places and where physical distancing is difficult and where there is a risk of contact within 2 metres with people who are not members of your household, you are expected to wear a face covering.
Will umpires be required to wear face masks for the full day, at all times. If so, will they get more time off during the day?
We understand that umpires could be wearing masks for a long period of time, which could be uncomfortable. Scottish Curling suggests that more breaks are incorporated within rotas to allow face coverings to be removed when it is safe to do so.
Can Scottish Curling provide disposable masks for umpires to refresh masks during the day?
Yes, during competitions Scottish Curling will provide face masks for umpires.
Please Note: Sports facility operators should ensure participants and visitors wear face coverings, if indoors, before and after activity or when in non-playing areas of the facility. For example: reception, locker rooms and storage areas. This is a mandatory requirement except where an exemption applies, or where there is a ‘reasonable excuse’ not to wear a face covering. For example, if you have a health condition or you are disabled, including hidden disabilities such as autism, dementia or a learning disability.
BUBBLES
Bubbles for week long competitions – has any thought been given to having umpires/chief timer/deputy timer bubbles?
Guidelines for each competition will be issued prior to each Scottish Curling competition.
For competitions involving travel and a stay away from home, is a team considered to be a “bubble” for purposes of car-sharing and accommodation-sharing?
No, this is not what Scottish Curling would advise
Will umpire teams be considered a “bubble” – for purposes of use of umpire room, equipment e.g. measures, score boards? Are umpires part of the Field of Play bubble?
Due to the changing nature of the advice and restrictions that the Scottish Government is putting in place concerning COVID, guidelines for each competition including bubbles will be issued prior to each Scottish Curling competition by the Competitions Manager.
CATERING
How will catering, sanitising and social distancing be managed during competitions?
As each venue is different, specific guidance on these questions will be issued on a venue by venue basis.
SWEEPING
Many questions arose about sweeping, which can all be answered by adhering to the below bullet points verbatum:
- Only one sweeper per stone, it is okay for the other person to follow but not sweep provided they keep a 2m distance
- The above rule applies even to members of the same household
- No swapping or switching of sweepers is allowed under any circumstances
- In Scottish Curling competitions during Season 2020-21, protocols and sanctions will be in place for any teams intentionally not adhering to additional COVID related rules (e.g. one person sweeping at any one time). Rules will be clearly stated in the Team Information Sheet (TIS) and the TMD (Team Meeting Document) and all teams are expected to comply.
TIME CLOCK OPERATORS
Many questions arose regarding Timing, which can be answered by the below bullet points:
- Face coverings should be worn at all times
- There will be cleaning of all timing equipment before and after use, e.g. keyboard, mouse, laptop
- Access to timing area by Chief Timer (CT)/Deputy Chief Timer (DCT) and timers for that session only
- Timers should use their own notebook/pad and pen to make notes
- Timing area to be sanitized before and after use
- Where there is a need for a time correction, the timer must allow social distancing for Chief Timer/Deputy Chief Timer to access the laptop – hands must be sanitised before and after performing the task
- Perspex dividers may be used where 2m distance isn’t possible
MISCELLANEOUS
For club curling, is it feasible to clean all the score number cards between sessions, or should use of score boards be discontinued meantime? Should one player per sheet be designated to complete the score card?
Anyone using the scoreboard should sanitise their hands immediately before and afterwards. General protocol is that only one designated person should complete the scorecard. Usually the second player.
If one or more athlete had been tested before the competition, they had started the competition then a positive result had been received, would the competition be abandoned and everyone in the facility have to go into quarantine?
Anyone who has been tested should be self-isolating and should not be attending the rink
A competitor showed symptoms during a 5 day competition, was tested and a positive result was obtained. What would be the procedure?
If someone shows symptoms, they should follow government guidance, and the Test & Protect system will inform others who need to isolate
What about changing rooms, rule re 6, 2 families, etc?
Each rink will have guidance on changing procedure, which will be shared with everyone prior to the event
Because any area of the country could be placed in lockdown at any time, should there be additional subs allowed during the pandemic, in case of teams with players from different home areas? And – should there be a list of reserve umpires in case one/some are in lockdown?
Any additional rules on substitutes will be communicated in advance, and as with umpire illness of any kind, a replacement would need to be found
For umpired competitions, it is not clear whether the “advice” on distancing is a “rule”, and if so, what consequences might be applied?
In Scottish Curling competitions during Season 2020-21, protocols and sanctions will be in place for any teams intentionally not adhering to additional COVID related rules (e.g. self-distancing). Rules will be clearly stated in the Team Information Sheet (TIS) and the TMD (Team Meeting Document) and all teams are expected to comply.
MENTORING
Are the mentoring pairs made already and if so what are they?
The mentors will be paired with the mentees at certain competitions. These pairings will change throughout the season
What are the number of mentors to mentees?
There will be one mentor per mentee at any one time
What level of umpire will receive mentoring?
The mentees will be those who attended the last Introduction to Umpiring Course
Will extra mentoring/training be available for new umpires just coming on in the time of COVID?
Due to COVID some competitions have been postponed; the committee will do its best to re-assign mentors with the mentees where possible. All umpires will be given instructions regarding COVID prior to all competitions
Coaching Conference Break out Group Discussions
Are COVID officers legally responsible?
The role of the COVID officer is to share the latest guidance provided by Scottish Curling and the local rink, with their members. It is the responsibility of the local ice rink to undertake risk assessments and comply with health and safety regulations
Can those who were shielding, go back to coaching?
From the 5th of August shielding has been paused and those shielding are free to go back to activities in line with government guidelines. There are no restrictions to those who have been shielding who wish to return to coaching, provided it is in line with our guidance. If any individual does not feel that returning to coaching is the right thing for them at this time, we support their decision and they are welcome to continue to join virtual CPD and courses and contribute to the coaching network.
Do coaches have to wear masks while teaching every age group on and off the ice?
Coaches must wear face coverings when delivering coaching to curlers of all ages.
Face coverings – can individuals be asked by others to wear a face covering on ice?
Scottish Curling guidance allows you to remove face covering whilst curling. However, it is up to the individual if they choose to wear a face covering whilst participating on the ice.
It may be difficult for a coach to be heard clearly while wearing a mask. Are there established hand signals used for hearing impaired curlers to give sweeping instructions? If so, could these be shared to ensure some consistency?
Scottish Government guidance explains that whilst indoors face coverings should be worn to prevent the spread of water droplets whilst shouting. Communication between players is important in our sport. Hand signals should be the default method, to reduce shouting where possible during games.
Is 8 too big a group for coaching?
8 is just a maximum per sheet. Clubs can operate in their normal way provided there are no more than 9 (including coach) on a sheet.
If people don’t play this season will they be lost to the game?
Membership pause is one way we are trying to alleviate this risk. We plan to follow up with those who have paused their membership next year to help them transition back to the sport.
If there is a local lockdown or restriction on travel will Clubs be responsible for paying for ice that can’t be used? Curlers will not be happy if they have to pay for ice that they are unable to use due to government restrictions therefore you will lose players. On the other hand if facilities don’t charge for ice during lockdown restrictions many will go out of business!
Refer to local guidance from each rink. Curlers should consider ways to support their rink if they can as this will be a challenging year with reduced income.
Could an umbrella group/club be formed at ice facilities to allow play to go ahead with those who want to play this season rather than no play for some Clubs if they don’t have enough members wishing to play? This would encourage people to continue curling and would hopefully show others it is safe to do so looking to the future.
This is a great idea and we would encourage this. If you think it would work at your ice rink you can discuss this directly with the ice rink or contact your local Development Manager for support Iain Stewart, Maggie Wilson and Scott Andrews
Does guidance for scorecards and scoreboards come from individual clubs, Ice Centre’s or in the SC Return to Curling Guidelines?
Guidance would come from the individual clubs and ice rinks.
Who is responsible for providing information to curlers? This discussion led to the common sense approach that it was in everyone’s interest for as many people as possible to have a basic knowledge of COVID safety, but as each club has a designated officer as does the ice facility as does SC, points of concern can be addressed to any one of these individuals.
The COVID Officer was designed to keep everyone safe in these new times and to be the main point of contact for clubs on all things relating to COVID-19. Every curler should also be mindful and responsible for their own safety surrounding COVID. Please refer to S.T.O.N.E and F.A.C.T.S. All our Covid-19 resources and guidance can be found here.
For people delivering children/protected adults are they allowed into the facility and if they are what are the requirements in respect of information gathering for tracking?
There should be no spectators unless they are supervising a child or vulnerable adult. Clubs should consider pick up and drop off arrangements and make sure there’s appropriate social distancing space for this.
Would it be possible for people to get into rinks before their first game?
Contact ice rinks, many are producing walk through videos to help visualise attending
Does the temperature of an ice rink mean COVID-19 is more likely to be transmitted?
Detailed risk assessments will be undertaken in each risk to mitigate the risk of infection transmission by complying with updated ventilation guidance, physical distancing and increased hygiene.
Where they are only two stones, how can these be distinguishable from each other where they are no numbers?
Where there are no numbers on the stones, hair bobbles or sticky tape could be used.
How do we give trycurlers the safety briefing and instructions re safety on the ice, issue them with grippers and slides, in a confined space?
Always provide briefings in a space where you can self-distance.
What happens if a club proves positive for a COVID test?
In the event of a positive case you should seek guidance from test and protect and comply with their advice. In addition, you may decide as an ice rink to take additional precautions as needed based on the exact circumstance of the positive case.
