Revised 2023-03-09

Scola della Scherma Storica takes the health of our members and guests very seriously. As the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, we have implemented the following safety policy to be adhered to at all club practices. We will abide by regulations set out by national, provincial, and municipal public health authorities. Where they have restrictions beyond those in this document, the directives by these authorities will always take precedence. This policy document will be revisited on a regular basis, particularly when public health authorities have issued revised guidelines that impact our operations.

A downloadable copy of this policy can be found here.

Prior to Attending Practice

• Fencers must be fully vaccinated in order to participate in any in-person practices. For the purposes of this policy, a fencer is considered fully vaccinated when they have received two doses of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine and have passed a waiting period after the second dose appropriate to the vaccine(s) received. Fencers are strongly encouraged to obtain additional booster doses as they become available.
• Fencers must provide the club with proof of vaccination. This only needs to be done once. The club will not retain a copy of said proof but will maintain a record of the names of fully vaccinated fencers who have provided proof.
• On the day of a practice fencers must self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before attending. If in the last 10 days the fencer or anyone in their household has had any of the following symptoms, they may not attend:
  • Fever
  • New onset of cough or worsening chronic cough
  • Muscle aches and tiredness
  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
  • Runny nose, nasal congestion
  • Sore throat
  • Decrease or loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Chills, headaches
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Fencers may not attend practice if they have travelled outside the country in the previous 10 days.

At Practice

• On arrival and before entering the practice space, fencers will have their temperature taken with an infrared thermometer to ensure they are not running a fever.
• To indicate they have self-assessed and are eligible to participate, after temperature check fencers will make an entry on the practice sign-in sheet with the date and their name and signature.
• All efforts will be made to improve ventilation during indoor practices. Windows and doors must be opened where it will improve airflow.
• Fencers must wear effective face coverings while in the practice space. N95, KN95, or equivalent masks are strongly encouraged.
• Water breaks, which require removal of face coverings, should take place away from the practice space and outdoors if possible. A physical distance of two metres should be maintained between fencers taking a water break.
• Fencers will be encouraged to acquire their own equipment where possible to avoid the use of loaner equipment. All worn equipment is to be used by a single fencer per practice and not shared.
• Fencers will not make use of techniques that involve prolonged physical contact. Seizing an opponent’s wrist and completing a play is permitted, extended in-fighting, wrestling, etc., is not.

Reporting Requirements

• Any fencer that tests positive for COVID-19 and has attended practice in the previous 14 days must inform the club as soon as possible and indicate the date of their positive test.
• Upon being informed of a fencer testing positive for COVID-19, the club will review the sign-in records and inform everyone who attended practice with that fencer in the 14 days prior to their positive test.
• Fencers who have had contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 should continue to self-assess for symptoms, and are encouraged to get tested.
• Fencers that test positive for COVID-19 must wait 14 days after all symptoms have subsided before attending practice again.