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Veteran National Championships and August NAC Health and Safety Protocols

08/19/2021, 1:45pm CDT
By Nicole Jomantas

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – With the COVID-19 pandemic remaining a significant health concern in cities around the nation and the world, USA Fencing will be returning to increased health and safety protocols for the Veteran National Championships and August NAC being held Aug. 27-28 in Atlanta, Ga., including PCR testing for all participants, including spectators, staff and volunteers.

Vaccination 

Individuals who have completed a COVID vaccine series (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson only) 14 days prior to arrival at the venue will NOT need to obtain a negative PCR test result, but they must provide proof of vaccination daily upon entrance into the venue.

COVID-19 Testing

All participants in the tournament who have not completed one of the COVID-19 vaccine series listed above at least 14 days prior to the start of the tournament must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in order to enter the facility. This includes athletes and staff as well as all coaches and spectators. The COVID-19 PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to the start of travel and must be shown daily to enter the venue.

Mask Mandate

As announced in October 2020, all participants in USA Fencing events, including coaches, athletes, spectators and staff, MUST wear a face mask that covers mouth and nose at all times, including competition.

Awards

Athletes who finish in the top eight will be receive a medal for individual events. A coach’s medal will be awarded to the coach of the gold medalist in all national championship events. Awards ceremonies will not be held. Athletes who win a medal can pick up their medals at the Satellite Bout Committee in the finals area.

Handshakes

Athletes are to salute at the conclusion of a bout in lieu of shaking hands with each other, the referee or coaches.

Social Distancing

Everyone should practice proper social distancing measures at all times while in the venue. Floor decals and signage will be placed around the venue as reminders.

Bout Committee

No more than one fencer will be permitted at the table at which each Bout Commit­tee official is stationed. All other fencers for that event should wait behind the line until called by the officials’ member to come forward. Athletes should ensure 6 feet between themselves and any others waiting in line.

Bout Committee officials will not take the bout slips from the fencers. Each slip will have a barcode which will be scanned by the fencer. Slips will be scanned by the fencer, and the BC official will record the score on the com­puter while the slip is shown to them. Once completed, the slip will be dropped in a box by the fencer, on the side of the table closest to them and furthest from the BC official.

Officials

All tournament officials will be placed in single hotel rooms for the Veteran National Championships and August NAC unless otherwise requested.

In rest and meal areas, best practices for serving food will be determined by local venue protocols. Meals will be prepackaged or served by venue staff to minimize the need for shared serving utensils. Disposable sets of napkins and silverware will be provided in officials’ meal rooms. Community games and other shared items will be removed from officials’ break areas until further notice.

Tag(s): Updates