RegattaCentral

COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS (Updated: September 18, 2021)

This COVID-19 health and safety guidance has been developed to facilitate a safe and successful regatta by incorporating optimal mitigation strategies against the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the causative virus of COVID-19).  The Head of the Mississippi Regatta (HOTM) will adhere to the guidance of USRowing and to the public health regulations in the cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, State of Minnesota, and the United States Centers for Disease Control.  This guidance is also subject to change as scientific knowledge advances, based on changes in disease epidemiology and prevalence, and to conform to appropriate regulatory guidance.

Given an increasing understanding of COVID-19 transmission and considering increasing vaccination prevalence, we believe that a safe and successful Regatta is well within reach.  Importantly, transmission outdoors is understood to be much less likely than transmission in indoor spaces.  Further, HOTM is held across a wide geographical area.  Nonetheless, as with an activity that involves gathering, even with multiple mitigation strategies, the risk of transmission cannot be eliminated.  We encourage all participants to adhere to best practices to reduce the risk for all.

Please be aware of your state and local travel requirements when traveling to this event. Teams should regularly monitor the health status of their athletes, coaches, and other support staff daily before and during the event.

Please be aware that the only people allowed into the University of Minnesota Boat House are those given permission by Regatta Chair and/or University of Minnesota Rowing Coaches/Staff. Masks will be required inside Boat House, on apron, ramp to docks & docks.   

GENERAL MEASURES:

• Each competing organization should assign an individual who will be responsible for managing the team’s daily wellness checks, interactions with regatta staff (including the COVID officer), contact-tracing, and any other elements in the event of a positive test.
• All athletes, coaches and staff that attending the event must complete the 2021 HOTM COVID-19 HEALTH SURVEY.
• Failure to abide by the COVID protocols may constitute Unsportsmanlike Conduct. The offending crew or organization may be subject to the penalties associated with Unsportsmanlike Conduct, including the team or crew’s exclusion from the regatta.
• Fully vaccinated individuals may resume outdoor activities without wearing a mask or staying six feet apart, except on apron in front of Boat House, ramp to docks, docks, and where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, regulations and University of Minnesota Rowing requirements.
• Unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask and make an effort to maintain physical/social distancing of at least six (6) feet in indoor and outdoor training settings. This includes coaches, athletes, staff, officials, and volunteers. It is recommended that unvaccinated individuals have a negative test within 72 hours of arriving at regatta site.
• Please refer to the CDC guidance on face masks.

VACCINATION:

• Fully vaccinated individuals are those who have received two doses of an mRNA vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna) or a single dose of the Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with at least two weeks having elapsed since the final dose.  A third “booster” dose is not currently required.  Individuals vaccinated outside of the United States will be considered fully vaccinated if they have received a vaccine series as authorized by the World Health Organization, with at least two weeks having elapsed since the final dose. The verification process will be communicated at a later date.
• HOTM strongly encourages vaccination of all other participants, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, Officials, and spectators.
• All participants understand that there may be unvaccinated individuals at the Regatta and will consider their own behaviors accordingly.

EXPOSURES AND CONACT TRACING:

In the event of an exposure that occurs at the Regatta, HOTM will cooperate with local and state public health authorities. HOTM will expect all participants and attendees who are notified by either HOTM or public health authorities to cooperate with contact tracing and/or quarantine as appropriate.