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Current Covid Guidelines

AYR ICE RINK
RETURN TO CURLING
Version 3

1 Introduction

This document is intended to provide further guidance on resumption of curling in Ayr Ice Rink. It takes account of current advice from the Scottish Government, SportScotland and the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC) and feedback received from Ayr Curling Club members. The document will be amended in the event of any such advice being updated.

We continue to work hard behind the scenes to create a safe environment for you . We want to ensure that you, our staff, contractors, visitors to the Ice Rink are as safe as possible.

This document has been prepared by the Board of Ayrshire Curlers Ltd and the Committee of Ayr Curling Club (ACC) as at 21 September 2021 and is intended to offer information and guidance to our curlers in relation to COVID-19. It has been prepared so that everyone within the Ice Rink knows what is expected of them.

Overall the most important consideration is the Health & Safety of all our users and staff. Everyone should refer to this document and all other suitable guidance to ensure that their curling, and that of their team mates & opposition, is managed in as safe a manner as is possible. We all have a part to play in keeping you safe and we'll be asking you to follow a few simple rules. Please apply common sense and respect each other's positions.

For reference, the most recent version of Scottish Curling Guidelines (with which all curlers should be familiar) Version 11.0 Published 12 August 2021 can be found here:

Please Click Here to access a Summary of Guidance for Curling Beyond Level Zero (Currently applicable to all areas of Scotland)

Please Click Here to access the Full 2021 Scottish Curling COVID Guidance

2 Opening Date & Session Times

We're delighted to confirm that we are able to start curling once again on Monday 27 September 2021.

Sessions have been extended and are now 2 hours (when the bell will ring); the time between sessions has also been extended to minimise overlap and allow time for enhanced cleaning & sanitation.

Session 1 – 9.30am Session 2 – 12.00pm Session 3 – 2.30pm
Session 4 – 5.15pm Session 5 – 8.00pm
Sunday times remain unchanged - 11.00am, 1.30pm, 4.15pm, 7.00pm.

3 Recently Posed Questions (in response to changes in guidelines and feedback from curlers).

Should I car share to come to curling?
At the present time there are no restrictions on car sharing.
When can I arrive at the Ice Rink?
Please try to arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before your appointed session time.
Which doors should I use to enter and exit the building?
As per last season we will be operating a one way system to enter & move around the building. Please enter by the main door and head directly upstairs to the lounge/bar area. The door adjacent to the car park is now designated as the exit only. This is to ensure the one-way system, for the protection of all Ice Rink users, is in operation within the building at all times. We will continue to keep this under review.
When do I require to wear a mask/face covering?
Current Scottish Government and RCCC Guidelines advise that individuals must wear a face covering when circulating in the building. This is a mandatory requirement, unless an individual is exempt from wearing a face covering. Players may remove their face covering when on the ice. Face coverings may also be removed when eating and drinking in bar/dining areas.
Where can I locate hand sanitiser?
Hand sanitiser dispensers are located in a wide variety of areas, e.g. at the top of the stairs into the lounge/dining area, at the bar, in the toilet areas and at the end of each sheet of ice. Please use hand sanitiser on entry and thereafter frequently during your time in the ice rink.
Where can I change my shoes, etc?
Changing rooms will be open and additional seating in and around the clubhouse can also be used for shoe changing. Curlers are encouraged to come changed and ready to curl as far as is reasonably practical. Please use the changing areas responsibly, and as already mentioned please apply common sense and respect each other's positions.
Where can I leave my outdoor shoes; may I leave a small bag anywhere?
These can be left in the changing rooms or taken down to the areas adjacent to the ice pad & left under the seating.
It is essential that all bags, clothing footwear and equipment are removed from the Ice Rink by you at the end of your session and that no personal items remain in the changing room.
How should I exit from the ice pad and ice rink after a game?
For everyone's protection, the one-way system in place from last season must be used in and around the ice rink. On leaving the ice pad, all curlers should exit the ice hall via the door approximately located under the ladies changing room, adjacent to sheet 1. You should then follow the marked route, passing the skating and hockey changing rooms and passing the ice staffs' office.
If you plan to leave immediately after your game use this route and then exit the building along the side of the ice pad in the direction of the car park.
If you plan to stay on, follow this route and then proceed upstairs to the bar / lounge area. From there to exit the building use the stair between the bar and office to use the down stair and exit along the side of the ice pad in the direction of the carpark.
Whenever you leave the ice rink please ensure you use the one-way system which has been devised for the protection of all Ice Rink users.
How is Track & Trace managed in the ice rink?
Ayr Curling Club membership cards should be produced to comply with Track & Trace. These should be placed in the designated areas at the end of each rink to enable scanning by the Ice Men. Temporary memberships and any ice monies will be collected after the game and they must also provide their contact details to the Ice Men.
In the event of a forgotten card, the scanning process will generate an email to the appropriate club secretary, who will be responsible for providing the appropriate contact information to Ayr Curling Club.
Skips are asked to assist with this process to ensure our Track & Trace procedures are as robust as is possible.
For any non-curlers in the building signing in sheets must be completed or the available QR codes scanned.
Can handshakes & coin tossing be used in the game?
Currently, beyond Level 0, Scottish Government guidance permits the shaking of hands. Curlers are encouraged to continue acknowledging good sportsmanship verbally and should be careful to consider the wishes of their teammates and opposition on this matter.
Coin tossing may be used to start each game.
Are club brushes, cues etc available for use?
As per Scottish Curling guidelines, these continue to be available for use and should be sanitised by the user before and after the game.
How / when should stone handles be cleaned?
Handles will be cleaned by the Ice Men at the start of each day. Thereafter it is the responsibility of individuals/teams to clean handles, e.g. perhaps the "third" in each team might clean all 8 stones prior to the start of a game.
Can stones be cleaned prior to delivery?
If necessary please use your brush to clean the running band of the stone; do not use your hands or a glove.
What are the guidelines regarding sweeping?
Scottish Curling Guidelines indicate that beyond level 0 there are no restrictions on the number of sweepers; no physical distancing is required and there are no maximum number of participants per sheet. Normal curling rules apply including skips sweeping their own and opposition stones.
It is a personal decision of teams/individuals if they wish to confine themselves to one sweeper in a game.
Can measures be used?
Yes. Remove any gloves, sanitise your hands, conduct measure, return measure to its normal location, sanitise your hands.
What social distancing is required "on the ice"?
There are no restrictions but once again, please use common sense and respect others.
When/how can I pay for ice which is not already pre-paid?
Such ice money should be paid to the Ice Men at the end of the game. Where possible this should be done by a contactless method. While cash will be collected by the Ice Men this will be on a No Change basis.

5 Ice Monies / Temporary memberships

Prepayment by clubs and by bank transfer is much appreciated. We do recognise that this is not always feasible but we are keen to minimise cash handling as far as possible.
Temporary memberships and any ice monies will be collected after the game. With games finishing at different times the staggering will assist with maintaining physical distancing and also allow subsequent games to get underway more quickly.
Payment should be made by a contactless method if at all possible.
It is the skips' and the clubs' responsibility to ensure that no one exits the building directly without paying monies due and/or providing contact details.

6 Bar and Catering

We will still be offering a bar and catering service and are delighted to have Sinitta back in the bar and to welcome back our caterer, Lorrie and we hope that you may be able to support both facilities. All legal physical distancing requirements have been removed. However, to prevent viral spread, good practice for queuing at "pinch points" (e.g. at the bar where drinks are served, buffets, entrances & exits) is strongly encouraged. To avoid congestion, drinking or loitering in such areas should be avoided.

Kindly respect the bar and catering staff (and indeed the ice and office staff). The bar and catering staff will be adhering to an increased level of hygiene.

Please pay by card whenever possible.

7 Summary

Please help, encourage and support other curlers to "get it right". This is a new season for everyone and, once again can we ask that you please apply common sense and respect each other's positions.

We look forward to welcoming all curlers back to Ayr Ice Rink for season 2021/22 where a warm, friendly atmosphere awaits everyone. We are doing our utmost to provide you with a safe and clean environment to enjoy your curling. Please assist us and support one another to ensure a good start to the season.

If you haven't been into the ice rink recently please drop in to see all the improvements carried out over the summer and have a coffee whilst gaining confidence that we are making the return to curling as safe as we possibly can.

Liz Goldie (Chairman) and Rob White (Club President)

Version Control
Version 1	August 30, 2020
Version 2	October 21, 2020
Version 3	September 21, 2021

Have a look at the video showing the routes of the one-way system now in use at the Ice Rink.

In essence, we are using the same system as was started last season, although the changing rooms and bar facilities have benefitted from the more relaxed rule

Covid Hospitality Guidelines

As per the latest Scottish Government’s guidelines:

Face Coverings

Face coverings must be worn at all times indoors (children under 12 or individuals with health conditions are exempt).

In a hospitality setting, customers may remove their mask for the purposes of eating or drinking.

Face coverings may be removed if seated in a hospitality setting and expecting to eat or drink. Customers need not be seated to eat or drink. If circulating (for example going to the toilet or to the bar) a face covering must be worn. This is a legal requirement. It can be removed again once re-joining the table.

Staff

All staff are required to wear face coverings whilst in any communal indoor area, except where there is an exemption.

Physical Distancing

All physical distancing requirements have now been removed.

To prevent viral spread however, good practice for queuing and visitor management at pinch points (e.g. where drinks are served, buffets, entrances and exits) is strongly encouraged.

Drinking or loitering in such areas or in areas which are likely to create pinch points is discouraged.

Track & Trace

Hospitality settings are still mandated by law to collect the contact details of visitors to premises, store the data securely for 21 days, and provide the data to Public Health if requested to assist with contact tracing of cases linked to premises. If you are playing you MUST remember to bring your membership card. If you are not curling please sign in at one of the sign in points throughout the building.

Good practice should be followed to effectively manage the flow of visitors at pinch points.

Please be mindful of others in the building and remember that everyone is responsible for their own wellbeing and safety.

Bar Covid Risk Assessment Sept 21

Download a copy

Risk Assessment


Club / Venue name:	Ayr Ice Rink / Ayr Curling Club	Important links on managing risk:	Completed example risk assessment
Assessment carried out by:	Andrew Kerr / TBC		Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis
Date assessment was carried out:	18 September 2021		HSE Health and Safety - Risk assessment advice
Date of next review:	18 October 2021		Getting your facilities fit for sport guidance
			Getting coaches ready for sport

Responsibilities of management
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Managing the return to full time operation	Ice staff Office Staff	Normal operating procedures reinstated.	ice rink Review and update, if necessary, the operating policies of the Update the new Ayr CC committee Provide guidance to new office staff	Ayrshire Curlers Ltd Board and Ayr Curling Club Committee Ditto Board		monthly

Building essentials
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Legionella within the showers due to prolonged lack of use	Hockey players and skaters	Replaced all the showers Arrange to have the water supply tested annually		Qualified person
Lack of ventilation	Members / Users Visitors	Being an old building it is not airtight and there are numerous unintended fresh air inlets New improved dehumidifier installed Summer 2020 which will introduce 10% fresh air continually and is programmed to completely change the air 3.5 times every 24 hours Vehicular roller shutter door to small ice hall is opened fully after each session to provide access for equipment Fresh air is provided to main ice pad periodically during the day via the “garage” and the vehicular roller shutter door and also when the pedestrian exit door is used Installation of new fan system in Kitchen/Lounge Monitor the performance of the dehumidifier to ensure circulation of fresh air into the building Assess ventilation provision in the lounge Ensure lounge access doors open as appropriate Investigate provision of carbon dioxide monitors Monitor updated guidance as provided by SportScotland and Scottish Ice Rinks Association.		Ice staff Board ACC Committee		Monthly
Spread of Covid-19 in the building through touch points	Members / Users Visitors	Enter into pre-opening communication with staff and members Provide hand sanitisation facilities at entry & exit points and high-risk areas with appropriate signage CCTV monitoring Upgrade the previous cleaning regime Seeking to reduce the amount of cash handling Provide a number of places where users can use QR and register to minimise queuing Monitor		Board ACC Committee Ice Staff	ongoing	Monthly

Hygiene, health & safety
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review

Inappropriate disposal of waste	Staff	Provide appropriate personal protection equipment for staff, in particular, used tissues with an increased risk of contamination Monitor		Board		Ongoing
Congestion in changing rooms due to fewer restrictions	Members / Users Staff Visitors	Hand sanitisers provided throughout the building and at high risk points Disposable paper towels provided Ensure that there is always an adequate supply of hot water	Provide clear guidance to limit the number of people entering the changing rooms / toilet facilities Ensure users are aware of where they can leave shoes, etc. Ensure adequate supplies of consumables and clean the changing rooms / toilets after each session	Board / Ayr CC Ice staff		Ongoing

Cleaning
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Virus present on surfaces	Members / Users Staff Visitors	Employ a cleaning contractor fully conversant with Covid-19 for a major daily clean before users enter the premises. Agree the contract details for the cleaning contractor Arrange for staff to carry out interim cleaning during the day Robust CV19 cleaning plan, schedule, & monitoring check sheets in place		Board Ice staff		As required
Untrained staff using cleaning substances	Ice staff Bar staff Catering staff	Ice staff will carry out cleaning of touch points during the day Bar staff/Catering staff cleaning surfaces and touch points associated with these areas (Specific Bar & Catering CV 19 Risk Assessments are in place and may be appended to this document) Cleaning contractor notifies the ice staff and the Board of any increased risk associated with different substances employed COSH assessments for all substances in place Cleaning contractor to carry out any necessary training in use of products Bar & Catering staff to use same cleaning products as contractors Only staff trained in safe methods & use of substances carry out cleaning tasks Instructions for specific cleaning tasks in place		Cleaning contractor Board All staff		Ongoing

Physical distancing
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete		Review
Situations where users are unable to adhere to physical distancing guidelines	Members / Users Staff Visitors	Identify high-risk pinch points Identify the need to limit access to the changing areas and toilets Provided advice and guidance to members / users Communicate with members / users pre-start of season Review signage, floor markings, arrows etc in place throughout the facility Individuals on hand to assist / guide / reassure at start of season Provide chairs in the lounge to enable shoe changing whilst maintaining physical distancing Mark the benches in the ice hall which may also be used for shoe changing with physical distancing signage Parents / guardians / carers / helpers encouraged to wait in vehicle or outside the ice rink and limited to 1 person to each participant Remind users to adhere to government guidance. Exercise common sense and respect other’s positions Establish a one way system of traffic flows.		Ayr CC / Board Staff Volunteers		Before opening	Ongoing

Symptoms of COVID-19
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Continuing to work if feeling unwell	Staff Cleaners Volunteers	Hand washing facilities with soap and water in place augmented by hand sanitisation facilities Staff CV19 training Regularly remind staff of latest Scottish Government / NHS guidance Be aware of symptoms & current self-isolation guidelines If anyone becomes unwell with any of the identified symptoms of Covid-19 they will be sent home and are required to follow the guidance from NHS / Scottish Government & self-isolate as appropriate Ensure records and contact details of staff, contractors and volunteers are taken to aid Test and Protect		All
Members / users entering the premises with flu like symptoms	Members / users Staff		They should be tactfully asked to leave / refused entry and directed to self-isolate / contact NHS24. Scottish Government guidance to be followed. Ensure records and contact details are taken to aid Test and Protect	All

First aid
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Withdrawal of first aid to a person in need could put their life at risk	Members / Users Staff Visitors	First aid trained staff available during opening hours Carry out first aid refresher training to incorporate changes required due to Covid-19 Strict hygiene protocols to be adhered to in order to reduce transmission Suitable PPE provided to first aiders and injured people so that they can protect themselves if administering first aid Preservation of life given priority: however, where CV19 may be suspected only chest compressions should be completed		Ice staff (first aid trained)

Inform
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Users unaware of changes to procedures	Members / Users Visitors Staff	Pre-opening advice sent to all members	Advise members of updated advice via email and social media Posters and floor markings to remind users Staff & volunteers on hand to guide & assist throughout the facility	Ayr Curling Club / Board Ice Staff		Ongoing

Staff
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date Complete	Review
Increased risk of community transmission	Staff	One of the office staff largely working from home. The other position made redundant and reinstated as part time season with greatly reduced hours	PPE provided, especially when the users return to the building Scottish Government advice followed	Board

Sport-specific
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Lack of physical distancing due to limited changing facilities	Members / Users	Advice issued that they should come, as far as is reasonably feasible ready to participate with just shoes / skates to change Return to Curling Guidelines issued to all members Create areas in the lounge and on the benches adjacent to the ice pad and downstairs changing areas Advice issued that they should arrive no more than 20 minutes before the start of their session		Ayr Curling Club / Board
Lack of knowledge	Members / Users	Return to Curling Guidelines issued to all members including links to all Scottish Curling documents Appoint a Covid-19 Officer for Ayr Curling Club Remind the clubs that they too are required to appoint a Covid-19 Officer All participants should be made aware of and adhere to the guidelines issued by their respective national bodies and to more specific guidelines issued by Ayrshire Curlers Ltd / Ayr Curling Club. Remind users that handshaking is permitted but they should respect other’s wishes		Ayr Curling Club / Board
Transmission through cash handling	Staff Users Bar & Catering staff	Encourage the pre-payment of ice monies Encourage cashless payments throughout the facility Instigate contactless payment for ice, at the bar and in the dining room		All staff & users
Transmission through communal equipment	Members / Users	Curling Guidelines incorporated within Return to Curling advice issued to members The handles of curling stones will be cleaned by each player Players discouraged from handling the curling stones of all other players The use of other communal curling equipment is discouraged. Where such brushes, etc are used, it is the individual’s responsibility to clean before and after use with the wipes provided. This advice has been issued to members and will be reinforced with appropriate signage		All users
Inappropriate disposal of waste, e.g. used wipes, tissues etc	Staff Members/users		Suitable disposal bins/bags located as appropriate throughout the facility	Board Staff Members/users

Communal transmission	Members	When using the bar and catering facilities the Scottish Government / NHS guidelines specific to the hospitality sector apply – This should be made clear by posters and signage as well as in the pre-opening guidelines issued. Bar and catering staff to use appropriate PPE

Organised coached activities
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Booking procedures leading to increased risk of spreading the virus	Participants, coaches / volunteers, ice staff	Booking by telephone & email encouraged	Covid-19 screening questions / advice at the time of booking Allow for non-penalty short notice cancellations due to participants experiencing symptoms or self-isolating in line with Scottish Government advice On line booking where possible Minimise cash transactions, encourage contactless payment	Development Officer Office staff		Ongoing
Large groups of school children / non-members not socially distancing	Children, participants, teachers / helpers, coaches, ice staff	Follow National Governing Body Guidelines	Advice given on revised access arrangements when booking Consider whether more coaches are required for supervision as well as coaching Ensure records and contact details of coaches / volunteers, participants, teachers / helpers are taken to aid Test and Protect	Development Officer Coaches		Ongoing
Use of ice rink brushes by multiple users increasing risk of transmission	Participants, coaches, ice staff	General procedure is for curlers to sanitise communal brushes with paper towels and sanitiser provided	For organised coaching where the participants are not members, coaches to clean equipment when handing out and clean the handles of the stones Ensure disposal of all wipes/cleaning materials as appropriate using receptacles provided	Coaches		Ongoing

Delivering coached activities
What are the hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	What are you already doing to control the risks?	What further action do you need to take to control the risks?	Who needs to carry out the action?	Date complete	Review
Coaches / volunteers continuing to work if feeling unwell with Covid-19 symptoms	Coaches, participants, ice staff	All coaches directed to Scottish Curling advice & Return to Curling Guidelines	Ensure all coaches are aware that if anyone has Covid-19 symptoms they should not attend but stay home and follow Scottish Government advice If anyone becomes unwell whilst at the ice rink with Covid-19 symptoms they will be sent home immediately and advised to follow Scottish Government advice Ensure records and contact details of coaches / volunteers for each session are taken and retained to aid Test and Protect Ensure participants are aware when booking that the session may be cancelled at short notice if the coach is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms	Development Officer Coaches Office staff		Ongoing
Participants arriving with flu like symptoms	Participants, coaches, ice staff	All coaches directed to Scottish Curling advice & Return to Curling Guidelines	They should be tactfully asked to leave / refused entry and directed to Scottish Government advice. Ensure contact details are obtained to aid Test and Protect Verbal screening is carried out by the coaches prior to the session	Development Officer Coaches Office staff

SUB PAGES

CURLING CALENDAR 2021

Current Covid Guidelines

AYR ICE RINKRETURN TO CURLINGVersion 3

1 Introduction

2 Opening Date & Session Times

3 Recently Posed Questions (in response to changes in guidelines and feedback from curlers).

5 Ice Monies / Temporary memberships

6 Bar and Catering

7 Summary

Covid Hospitality Guidelines

Bar Covid Risk Assessment Sept 21

Risk Assessment

Responsibilities of management

Building essentials

Hygiene, health & safety

Cleaning

Physical distancing

Symptoms of COVID-19

First aid

Inform

Staff

Sport-specific

Organised coached activities

Delivering coached activities

CURLING
CALENDAR 2021

AYR ICE RINK
RETURN TO CURLING
Version 3