COVID - What you need to know and FAQs

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The following describes how Covid-19 will affect your child’s practices, as well as the precautions that Alberta Artistic Swimming and the Auroras are taking to ensure everyone’s ongoing safety. For further details, see Alberta Artistic Swimming’s page on Covid resources or contact the Aurora's COVID Coordinator.

Parents should review the health screening checklist prior to each practice, and masks should be worn at all times when the swimmer is not training on land or in the water.

 

What steps will the Pool (Kinsmen) take to ensure the safety of my child?

• Swimmers must wear masks when entering the building, walking to practice and to training locations inside the facility. Once training begins, masks may be removed.
• Drop Off is at through the front door, pick up is outside Door #3 (to the left of the front doors). Athletes need to be on-time, as late arrivals have limited access. Please let your team coach know if you will be late so they can open the door for you.
• Unless weather is inclement, athletes will be expected to wait outside (just for the time being).
• Athletes need to arrive in bathing suits, and will be leaving with clothes over bathing suits. Groups do not have access to showers.
• Parents/spectators are not permitted inside the facility at this time.
• There will be reduced pool capacity to space athletes out, with youngest teams closest to the walls as more breaks may be needed.
• One-way traffic flow on pool deck with minimal touch points.
• Daily screening of staff and members at the pool.
• Extensive facility sanitization practices.

 

What do I need to know about practices that may be different from previous years?

There are a number of things that we will need to implement this year to keep everyone safe and limit unnecessary exposure.

• No parents or spectators are allowed in the facility because of capacity restrictions.
• Swimmers should come swim ready with their bathing suits on, please let the coach know if you are going to be late so they can open the door for you.
• Washrooms by Kinette Room are opened for all aquatic users, other regular washrooms may have limited access.
• Showers will not be available.
• Pack extra water and snacks - water fountains will not be in use and there will be no sharing food or snacks.
• Please have the swimmers bring their own masks and hand sanitizer. 
• No photos of the swimmers or training.

 

How will the Auroras handle physical distancing requirements in the water?

Swimmers will be separated in the water in each lane as is appropriate for social distancing (7-8 swimmers per 25 metre lane). More details to follow after the first practice.

 

Are face masks mandatory?

Alberta Health Guidelines* state:
- Masks should not be worn in the water by swimmers, as they present a safety risk.
- Masks by teaching staff is only encouraged for prolonged close interactions with children.
- Masks may be worn by patrons on the deck or other areas of the facility and should be worn when swimmers are not in the water or otherwise training.

Masks should be worn upon entering the building and when moving to and from training locations in the facility. When beginning training and prior to entering the water, masks will be removed. Please bring your own mask and hand sanitizer.

 

What is the process if a staff member or swimmer is confirmed as having COVID?

In the situation we are notified of a staff member or a swimmer being confirmed as having COVID, the Auroras would immediately develop a list of those who have been in ‘close contact’ meeting the criteria above and notify them and require them to isolate for 14 days or until they had returned a negative test result.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) defines a ‘close contact’ as a person who
- Had close physical contact with the person without consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment or
- Had close prolonged contact (within two metres) with the person while they were infectious or
- Had direct contact with infectious bodily fluids of the person (e.g. was coughed or sneezed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines* a contact as anyone with exposure to COVID
- From 2 days before to 14 days after the case’s onset of illness
- Who was within 1 metre of a COVID case for greater than 15 minutes
- And / or in direct physical contact with a COVID case

 

Can my child catch Covid-19 from the pool water?

The CDC has indicated that conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. 

 

Will we have access to changing facilities?

Limited access will be available, we encourage swimmers to come swim ready (dressed in swimsuit and having been to the washroom). This will help to speed up traffic flow through to the pool and minimize touch points. Washrooms will be available beside the Kinette room for the swimmers.