COVID-19 Response Plan

We have put together a collection of protocols and policies to assist us and you prevent and decrease potential cross contamination of the SARS-CoV 2 virus. The guidelines are based on up to date information available the World Health Organisation and other organisations nationally and internally addressing the COVID-19 crisis.

Please download the complete PDF document below.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the protocols and policy is to provide for guidelines in term of Covid-19 readiness and prevention and
decrease of potential cross contamination of the SARS-CoV 2 virus:

These guidelines are based on up to date information available such as:
– World Health Organisation
– National / International Institute for Communicable diseases
– Covid – 19 Directive on Health and Safety in the workplace issued by the Minister in term of regulations 10(8) of the
National disaster regulations
– Amendment of Directions issued in terms of regulations 4(10) of the regulations made under section 27(2) of the
Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act no. 57 of 2002): Suspension of sport, arts and cultural events as measures to
prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19, gazetted by the Minister of Sports Mr. Nathi Mthethwa on 11 June 2020
– Gauteng Sports Council,
– Tshwane Sports Council

SECTION A: Preparation Prior to opening

  1. Identification of suitable location
    1. In consultation with The Ice Company, the sole owner of Ice Rinks in Gauteng, we are seeking to identify one ice rink that can be opened and prepared for training for use by Figure Skating Clubs in Gauteng.
    2. The venue will be opened only for training of skaters and not to the general public during this time
      and access will be controlled and managed.
  2. Preparation of the Venue
    1. In consultation with The Ice Company there will be complete deep sanitisation of the entire venue (that has been completely closed to the public since the start of the lockdown) – sponsorship has been secured for the complete deep sanitization of the ice rink venue including a trained staff member to do the sanitation.
    2. Identification and screening of The Ice Company staff as well as GFSA volunteers/coaches that will be
      on the premises to manage the ice as well as the cleaning and sanitisation schedules.
    3. Training of staff in appropriate measures against COVID
    4. Procurement of necessary PPE
      • 70% Alcohol Gel Sanitizer
      • Foot pump operated Stand
      • Thermometers
      • Masks
      • Face shields
      • Sanitizing liquid for ongoing sterilization
      • Paper towels for Bathrooms
      • Soap for bathrooms.
    5. Entrance and exits will be identified that will limit exposure to the public and will allow for an isolation area should anyone present with symptoms not exposed to the general public.
    6. Placing of necessary documentation / posters identifying appropriate protection measures i.e. mask wearing, washing hands

Preparation for identifying risks with regards to skaters, coaches and Ice Rink staff

  1. We have developed a screening framework to identify high risk individuals in the community using
    our COVID Participant Screening Questionnaire
    Link to Risk Assessment questionnaire

    1. Should a coach be identified as high risk or with co-morbidities, we will require a medical certificate to approve their participation. Without medical approval, they will not be allowed to coach.
    2. Should a skater be identified as high risk or with co-morbidities, we will require a medical certificate to approve their participation. Without medical approval, they will not be allowed to train.
  2. Development of training material to inform skaters, parents and coaches around protocol including
    PPE donning and doffing procedures.

    1. Information brochure
      • All procedures at venue
      • Prevention of COVID
      • Includes Donning and Doffing of masks
  3. Video to be sent out
  4. Posters to be displayed at all entrances and exits to the rink
    • Mask Wearing
    • Hand Sanitising
    • Social Distancing
    • Symptom Checklist

RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS

  • Wearing of a mask while traveling and entering the rink is compulsory.
  • Avoid frequent touching of your face eyes, nose and/or month either by adjudgment and/or readjusting of the mask.
  • Practice regular handwashing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and / or sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow
  • Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms. Should you present with any flu symptoms self-quarantine and avoid anyone (skaters, coaches, parents)
  • No handshake or hugging is permitted.
  • Use individual disposable water bottles; do not share any items that can cause cross contamination
  • Have demarcated areas to ensure skaters can not cross contaminate while putting on skates, etc.

SECTION B: Daily Management at the Ice Rink

In order to constantly manage the COVID – 19 risk at the training venue the following measures will be in place

  • Number of people including staff, coaches and skaters will not exceed (50)
  • inside the Ice Rink will be limited to: (50 people both on and off ice)
  • times will be allocated as per scheduled roster put together in consultation with skaters, coaches and Committee
  • No spectators will be allowed into the training venue
Pre-Arrival
  1. Skaters and/or coaches (where the skaters are minors, legal guardians) will need to complete the online daily COVID screening form and submit
    Link to screening form

    1. Any skater that answers yes to any of the pre-screening questions may not come to the ice rink and train.
  2. Skaters/coaches should arrive fully dressed in their training gear (no change room facilities will be
    available)
On Arrival
  1. On arrival at the entrance temperature will be taken using IR Thermometer. If the temperature is raised, they will not be allowed to enter the venue.
  2. Warm up should be done in the demarcated zones with no more than 2 skaters per zone. This warmup will need to be done with a mask on.
  3. Skaters can then proceed to a demarcated area on the stands to put skates on. Skate bags and disposable water bottles are to remain in that area.
Skating
  1. Skaters and coaches to sanitize hands as getting on to the ice
  2. Coaches to wear masks / face shields
  3. Skaters do not need to wear masks during training but may not be within 2m of anyone else on the ice
  4. No more than (30) people on the ice at any point in time.
  5. Skaters and coaches to sanitize hands and place masks back on when leaving the ice again.
  6. Skaters are not to stand around the barrier
  7. No water, gloves or masks can be left at the barrier.
Leaving the venue
  1. Once training is over skater / coach is to proceed to the area where their bag is, take skates off. Wipe
    down area with a wipe and leave the ice rink
  2. No one can stay inside the rink to watch. No training, no entry
Daily Maintenance and Management

In consultation with The Ice Company,

  • All surfaces, high traffic areas of the area will be sanitised and cleaned with disinfectant throughout the practise session and several times during practice including and not limited to door handles, handrails, rest rooms, first aid room and all other areas accessible to skaters not listed.
  • All rest rooms to be equipment with sufficient soap and water at all times and only paper towels are provided to dry hand after washing (the use of fabric towels are prohibited in accordance with the OHS Covid-19 directive)

SECTION C: Emergency response Plan

Response plan in case someone becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 in the training venue

  1. In case of a suspected COVID-19 infection/exposure in the training area, the following persons must be notified immediately:
    1. COVID Compliance Officer
    2. First Aider
    3. Coach
  2. Identify a room or area where someone who is feeling unwell or has symptoms can be safely isolated.
    • If it is suspected that an employee or visitor might have the COVID-19 virus, that individual may not be allowed to leave the premises until the hotline number has been contacted and contact has been made with the authorities and the correct procedures are followed.
    • In liaison with authorities, COVID-19 further screening and testing protocols must be followed
    • If the individual test results are positive, it is advisable for all those who contacted the individual in the last 14 days to undergo COVID-19 screening/testing depending on the symptoms
    • The training area where the individual who has tested positive was operating from, must be evacuated, all areas of the premises must be thoroughly disinfected by a competent service provider/authority. The premises must not be utilised until the premises have been declared safe for operations to resume
    • The Department of Health must be notified of positive COVID-19 cases where the infections have occurred at the training venue
  3. If the COVID-19 infection has occurred at the training venue, an investigation, the review of measures,
    including risk assessment must be undertaken for improvement.
  4. An individual who was tested positive for COVID-19 must not return training until they have been
    declared COVID-19 negative by a qualified health practitioner. Proof must be provided.
  5. The returning individual must also comply with the safety measures e.g. personal hygiene, social
    distancing, wearing of mask, cough etiquette and monitoring of symptoms.

Response plan in case someone becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 at home but has had contact at the
rink previously

  1. Notification of the relevant Provincial Committee (GNFSA or CGFSA) and COVID Compliance Manager
  2. Notification of skaters and coaches:
    1. In the case that all precautionary measures were adhered to, individuals will be notified to monitor for symptoms.
    2. If precautionary measures were not adhered to, contact tracing protocols will be instituted with instruction for quarantine.
  3. An individual who was tested positive for COVID-19 must not return training until they have been declared COVID-19 negative by a qualified health practitioner. Proof must be provided.
  4. The returning individual must also comply with the safety measures e.g. personal hygiene, social distancing, wearing of mask, cough etiquette and monitoring of symptoms.

Contact Tracing Mechanism

  1. We have developed an online COVID screening form that will be completed with all necessary information and will serve as an attendance register for all skaters and coaches training in specific sessions and times. This is stored in a spreadsheet and will contain all necessary information required to trace people in the event of a positive diagnosis.

Reporting process

  1. Should GFSA (GNFSA and CGFSA) be made aware of a positive case, we will adhere to the following reporting process.
  2. Contact the National COVID hotline 0861 322 322

SECTION D: Return to training after possible or confirmed COVID-19 Infection

Should there be a confirmed COVID-19 infection,

  • All affected parties will need to adhere to a 14-day quarantine period
  • The venue will be deep cleaned with all necessary chemicals
  • Once all affected parties show as negative, GFSA (GNFSA/CGFSA) can open up for training under advisement.

Return to Competitions

As per current directions from South African Figure Skating Association we do not anticipate any competitions before
the 1 October which will be confirmed taking into account COVID Situation and restrictions to travel.

1 October – 31 December 2020 – Only Provincial level competitions (no out of Province travel to be hosted in venues listed for training.

From 1 February 2021 onwards, until otherwise stated – Interprovincial and National competitions as directed by the National Federation.

Should our skaters need to compete at that point we will follow all necessary gazetted guidelines with regards to travel and quarantine.