General COVID Protocols for the Season

Nordic Skiing

General COVID protocols for the season: 

• Any person who has had a fever or cold symptoms in the previous 24 hours must not be allowed to take part in workouts and should contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate healthcare professional as well as the coaches. 

• Pods must be no larger than 25. Pods include student-athletes. Pods are small groups of student-athletes always working out together. This will ensure limited exposure if someone develops an infection. 

• Student-athletes who are not participating in practice or a contest must maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from other student athletes. 

• Social activities and congregation of student-athletes outside of practice and contests should not take place. 

• Carpooling of student-athletes is an option for students and masks are encouraged. 

FACE COVERINGS 

• Face coverings must be worn by all persons at all times, including during practices and contests. 

• Student-athletes and others are not permitted to remove their face coverings during activities that involve a high level of exertion.

• The following are considered appropriate mask/face coverings— paper or disposable masks, cloth masks, or neck gaiters. 

• A mask/face covering must cover the nose and mouth completely. 

• Student-athletes and coaches, must confirm that they are symptom free. These confirmations must be aligned with the CDC’s “Coronavirus Self-Checker” or current recommendations. 

• A record will be kept of all student-athletes at each practice session to allow for contact tracing as well as for those riding the bus each practice. A bus seating chart will be kept and student-athletes must sit in the same seat every time they are on the bus.

RACE PROTOCALS 

• Signage, flags, etc. must be used to designate spectator areas. 

• When spectators are permitted at the event, they must not have access to student-athletes and must be restricted to areas outside of the competition area. 

• Team camp areas should be isolated from spectators or other non-essential personnel. Team camps must be only available to members of that specific team, and not a shared/common space. Social distancing requirements of 6 feet must be maintained in these areas. 

• There must be a restricted area at the finish that keeps spectators away, so they do not interfere with the "quick exit" of each athlete. This area should maintain distance between spectators, athletes, and officials. 

• Competitive pods (Varsity & JV) may remain in the venue for other competitive pod contests as long as masks/face covering are worn and they are separated from spectators by a minimum of 12 feet. 

• Varsity and JV races may be held on the same course. Meet management must allow time for competitors (teams) in the first race to clear the course before the next group of teams enter the start area

• Varsity and JV Races: staggered/wave starts are required if there are more than 25 skiers competing in a Varsity and JV race. This can be done multiple ways as determined by meet management (i.e. starting each teams’ skiers together based upon ability, times, position on team, etc.). Wave start groupings must be coordinated with the finish timer to ensure: 1) appropriate timing between each wave start; 2) proper timing of skiers in each wave; and 3) minimizing the mixing of multiple waves. Varsity and JV skiers may be placed in waves of 25. Meet Management shall determine the number of waves for each race. Social distancing required of all attendees including participants, coaches, officials, and spectators. 

• After the pod has completed their race, they are allowed to head back to their buses or other transportation home. 

• All race results will be sent to the coach via email or other electronic means following the conclusion of the race.