Covid Return to Sport Conditions

CLUB MEMBER Return to Swimming

August, 2020

Dear Blue Fins Swim Club Members 

As British Columbia public health authorities develop guidelines to lift some restrictions on gathering in a responsible way, Williams Lake Blue Fins  has been working with Swim BC to understand the recommendations our Chief Provincial Health Officer and how they best apply within our sport and club environment.

A “Return to Swimming Plan” has been developed for our club in order to ensure that:

•     health and safety of all individuals is a priority;

•     activities are in alignment with provincial health recommendations;

•     modifications to activities are in place in order to reduce the risks to each or our swimmers;

•     our sport is united and aligned on a plan to reopen throughout the province.

While we do hope things will return to normal in the not too distant future, currently this “Return to Swimming Plan” will be the new normal until we are advised otherwise by public health authorities.

If you choose to participate, you must follow these rules:

•     If you don’t feel well or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, you must stay home;

•     If you have traveled outside of Canada, you are not permitted at a practice until you have self- isolated for a minimum of 14 days;

•     If you live in a household with someone who has COVID-19 or is showing symptoms of COVID- 19, you must stay home;

•     Wear your suit to practice (no changing at the pool);

•     Wash your hands before participating;

•     Bring your own equipment, water bottle and hand sanitizer;

•     Comply with physical distancing measures at all time;

•     Avoid physical contact with others, including shaking hands, high fives, etc.;

•     Leave the facility as quickly as possible after you finish.

Our “Return to Swimming Plan” is based on current public health guidance. While we are all doing our best to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19, while the virus circulates in our communities it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk. Each participant must make their own decision as to whether it is in their best interest to resume participation at this time. You must take into account your own circumstances and make the decision that is right for you. 

Should you choose to join us, we require your full cooperation with our “Return to Swimming Plan”.

Sincerely,

Club President – Naomi Smith 

Head Coach – Chad Webb 

Williams Lake Blue Fins  ILLNESS POLICY                                                           

In this policy “member” includes an employee, volunteer, participant or parent/ spectator.

1.      Inform an individual in a position of authority (coach, team manager) immediately if, you feel any symptoms of COVID-19such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.

2.      Assessment:

a.      Members must respond to a pre-training oral questionnaire before their practice/ activity to attest that they are not feeling any of the COVID 19 symptoms.

b.      Coaches will visually monitor team members to assess any early warning signs as to the status of their health and to touch base on how they are regarding their personal safety throughout the practice/ activity.

c.      If members are unsure, please have them use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool BC Support App self-assessment tool.

3.      If a member is feeling sick with COVID-19 symptoms:

a.      They should remain at home and contact Health Link BC at 8-1-1.

b.      If they feel sick and/or are showing symptoms while at practice they should be sent home immediately and have them contact 8-1-1 or a doctor for further guidance.

c.      NO member may participate in a practice/activity if they are symptomatic.

4.      If a member tests positive for COVID-19:

a.      The member will not be permitted to return to practice until they are free of the COVID-19 virus.

b.      Any member who worked / practiced closely with the infected member will also be removed from club activity for at least 14 days.

c.      Ensure work / practice area is closed off, cleaned and disinfected immediately and any surfaces that could have potentially be infected/ touched.

5.      If a member has been tested and is waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test:

a.      As with the confirmed case, the member must be removed from the work / practice area.

b.      The BCCDC advises that any person who has even mild symptoms to stay home and call 8-1-1.

6.      If a member has come in to contact with someone who is confirmed to have COVID-19:

a.      Members must advise their employer/ coach if they reasonably believe they have been exposed to COVID-19.

b.      Once the contact is confirmed, the member will be removed from the workplace/ practice for at least 14 days or as otherwise directed by public health authorities. Members who may have come into close contact with the member will also be removed from the workplace for at least 14 days.

c.      The workspace/ activity area will be closed off, cleaned, and disinfected immediately and any other surfaces that could have potentially been infected/touched.

7.      Quarantine or Self-Isolate conditions:

a.      Any member has travelled outside of Canada or the province within the last 14 days is not permitted to enter any part of the facility and must quarantine and self-isolate.

b.      Any member with any symptoms of COVID-19 is not permitted to enter any part of the facility and must quarantine and self-isolate.

c.      Any member from a household with someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 is not permitted to enter any part of the facility and must quarantine and self-isolate.

d.      Any member who is quarantined or self-isolating as a result of contact with an infected person or in families who are self-isolating, is not permitted to enter any part of the facility.