With the number of Covid-19 cases on the rise, Curling Alberta has implemented further protocols to help keep the curling community safe. Masks are now requested during play but can and should be safely removed when needed (e.g. while sweeping, when drinking water,
when regaining a comfortable rate of breathing, when replacing a wet mask, etc.). If you are not able to safely wear a mask, please refrain from shouting and continue to adhere to the physical distancing measures in place at your facility.
The following should be kept in mind when wearing a mask:
● Completely cover the nose and mouth. Learn how to wear a mask here.
● Bring a change of masks and follow AHS’ safe mask-removal protocols. Soiled or wet masks should be replaced during games.
● Only cleaned and disinfected masks should be worn.
● When wearing a mask, avoid touching the mask and practice good hand
hygiene.
● Masks do not replace proper hygiene, physical distancing or isolation to prevent the spread.
Performance tips:
1. Breathing tip: Attentively breathing through the nose rather than the mouth has been helping many curlers learn to breathe more comfortably with a mask on during games.
2. Masks: Players should consider investing in performance-wear masks and should bring multiple masks to a game.
3. Safe mask removal: It is not unreasonable nor irresponsible to safely remove your mask at certain points during play. Healthy breathing and proper hydration are important parts of exercising and an active life-style. If you find that you need to remove your mask during the course of play, simply adhere to: (i) AHS’s safe mask-removal protocols,
4. Avoid shouting or raising your voice when your mask is removed and continue to respectfully adhere to all on-ice physical distancing measures at your facility (e.g., remain at least 6 feet away from others)
5. Glasses fogging up: If your glasses are fogging up during play, then please
consider options such as: wearing contacts, using an anti-fog spray or wearing your mask higher-up on your face.
6. As per AHS, do not use a mask in the following situations:
● If it’s dirty or damaged in any way, it gaps or doesn’t fit well, or it has been used by another person.
● Anyone that has trouble breathing
For information on non-medical masks as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please visit the Government of Alberta’s COVID-19 Mask webpage.
Curling Alberta sincerely thanks the member clubs and their members for continuing to adhere to the protocols in place. Together we can keep curling.
Best Regards,
Shannon Kleibrink
Director of Community Curling Centre Development
Curling Alberta