Austin Challenge COVID Protocols
USFA Mandates
Any updates to USFA protocols & mandates will be in force for this event, and will supersede any conflicting requirements listed here.
Mask Mandate
All attendees at USA Fencing sanctioned tournaments will be required to wear a mask at all times, including athletes during competition. Face coverings must be two-layer cloth masks or surgical face coverings. Single-layer gaiters, bandannas, masks with vents and the Leon Paul Facemask Shields or similar face coverings are NOT permitted. Athletes who do not comply with this policy will not be allowed to compete. Other individuals, including spectators and coaches, who do not wear a mask or face covering will be assessed a Group 3 penalty for “any person not on strip disturbing order” which includes a yellow card warning for the first infraction and a black card resulting in expulsion from the venue for a second infraction. There will be no exceptions, for athletes or any other tournament attendee, to the mask mandate. We cannot accommodate those with conditions that would preclude wearing a mask, so anyone unable to wear a mask should stay home.
Screaming
Research has shown that virus transmission occurs at higher rates when individuals scream or yell due to the increased propulsion of droplets through the air. Accordingly, yelling after a touch, or at any time during a bout, will be prohibited. As this is a significant change to a habit for many fencers, referees are advised to verbally warn fencers rather than issuing an immediate penalty. If, after warnings, the referee determines an athlete is deliberately violating the reminder not to scream, the referee can award a Group 1 penalty for refusal to obey the referee resulting in a yellow card for the first infraction and red cards for subsequent infractions. The referee also has the authority to award a Group 3 penalty for disturbing order on the strip which results in a red card for the first infraction and a black card and exclusion from the tournament for subsequent infractions.
Handshakes
Athletes are to salute at the conclusion of a bout in lieu of shaking hands with each other, the referee or coaches.
Temperature Check and Covid Questions
Arrival and Check-In Procedure
To minimize contact and the need for fencers to touch or congregate around check-in computers, check-in at this event will follow this procedure:
Spectator/Coach Policy
The Round Rock Sports Center has a wraparound upper gallery with a clear view over the gym floor, and seating for 1000.
Bout Protocols and Etiquette
Food and Drink
Covid-19 Questions
All attendees must be able to answer "No" to all these questions in order to be permitted to enter the venue:
Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours:
• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• muscle or body aches
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
Within the past 14 days, have you been in close physical contact (6 feet or closer for at least 15 minutes) with a person who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or with anyone who has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19?
Are you isolating or quarantining because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19?
Are you currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test?
Any updates to USFA protocols & mandates will be in force for this event, and will supersede any conflicting requirements listed here.
Mask Mandate
All attendees at USA Fencing sanctioned tournaments will be required to wear a mask at all times, including athletes during competition. Face coverings must be two-layer cloth masks or surgical face coverings. Single-layer gaiters, bandannas, masks with vents and the Leon Paul Facemask Shields or similar face coverings are NOT permitted. Athletes who do not comply with this policy will not be allowed to compete. Other individuals, including spectators and coaches, who do not wear a mask or face covering will be assessed a Group 3 penalty for “any person not on strip disturbing order” which includes a yellow card warning for the first infraction and a black card resulting in expulsion from the venue for a second infraction. There will be no exceptions, for athletes or any other tournament attendee, to the mask mandate. We cannot accommodate those with conditions that would preclude wearing a mask, so anyone unable to wear a mask should stay home.
Screaming
Research has shown that virus transmission occurs at higher rates when individuals scream or yell due to the increased propulsion of droplets through the air. Accordingly, yelling after a touch, or at any time during a bout, will be prohibited. As this is a significant change to a habit for many fencers, referees are advised to verbally warn fencers rather than issuing an immediate penalty. If, after warnings, the referee determines an athlete is deliberately violating the reminder not to scream, the referee can award a Group 1 penalty for refusal to obey the referee resulting in a yellow card for the first infraction and red cards for subsequent infractions. The referee also has the authority to award a Group 3 penalty for disturbing order on the strip which results in a red card for the first infraction and a black card and exclusion from the tournament for subsequent infractions.
Handshakes
Athletes are to salute at the conclusion of a bout in lieu of shaking hands with each other, the referee or coaches.
Temperature Check and Covid Questions
- COVID Tests/proof of vaccine are NOT required.
- Anyone entering the gym will be temperature-checked and asked to answer questions related to possible Covid exposure. (Questions are listed at the end of this page, and will be posted at the venue during the event)
- Attendees must register a temperature below the CDC-recommended 100.4F, and be able to answer “no” to all the Covid questions to be allowed into the gym.
- Attendees who meet these requirements will be given a color-coded wristband which must be worn at all times while in the venue.
- Each day will use a different colored wristband; attendees are required to do temperature check and questionnaire daily, and wear the correct day's wristband.
Arrival and Check-In Procedure
To minimize contact and the need for fencers to touch or congregate around check-in computers, check-in at this event will follow this procedure:
- The Bout Committee will check in all fencers the night before their event, and will post pools on www.FencingTimeLive.com
- When fencers arrive at the venue, as part of the temperature check, they will be marked as present for their event. Anyone not marked as present by registration closing time will be scratched by the bout committee.
- Equipment check: Fencers who need to do equipment check before their first event can plan to come in 90 minutes before their event registration closes, to allow for equipment check, but are requested to leave the gym floor and return to the upper gallery until one hour before their event registration closes. Fencers competing on Saturday morning are encouraged to visit the armory for equipment check on Friday evening, between 8 - 9 pm for weapons check.
Spectator/Coach Policy
The Round Rock Sports Center has a wraparound upper gallery with a clear view over the gym floor, and seating for 1000.
- Fencers should remain in the upper gallery or outside the venue until one hour before their event registration closes, and are requested to leave the venue immediately after their fencing is complete.
- Each fencer may have ONE adult (parent or coach, referred to here as their “plus-one”) on the gym floor with them. Other members of their party may be in the venue, but must remain in the upper gallery.
- Fencers and their plus-ones should remain in designated seating areas on the gym level until they are called to the strip to fence.
- During pool bouts, plus-ones must remain in designated seating areas. During direct elimination bouts, while the fencer is on strip, his or her plus-one can sit in the “coaches box” area marked on the strip. After the fencer’s bout is done, the plus-one must use the disinfectant wipes provided to wipe down the chair.
- Plus-ones that are not direct family members (parent, sibling) of the fencer must be USFA members in good standing with SafeSport and background check.
- Fencers should be comfortable with basic tournament procedures (including how to hook up) and troubleshooting, to minimize the number of people at the strip. Tournament staff will be on the fencing floor in case some assistance is needed. If fencers are not self-sufficient, do not register for the tournament.
Bout Protocols and Etiquette
- Fencers may have two spectators (parents or siblings) plus their coach in the venue
- Access will be managed by wristbands
- All persons inside the venue must wear a COVID mask at all times
- Fencers may not shake hands with each other or the referees.
- Fencers will review pool and DE slips as usual, but will not SIGN them. Any issues regarding scoring sheets must be addressed verbally with the referee when the pool or DE is over.
- A fencer can request a short break to catch his or her breath if breathing becomes difficult during a bout. Fencers should signal the referee by raising a hand during any pause in the bout. The fencer must go to the warning area of the strip before raising/removing masks to breathe. If a fencer is unable to compete comfortably while wearing a mask, a medical withdrawal is recommended.
- Screaming during bouts is prohibited.
- Awards: medals are awarded for top 8, but in order to maintain social distancing, fencers will be given their medals individually rather than as a group.
Food and Drink
- Attendees may not bring outside food into the gym.
- Although water fountains are available, fencers are encouraged to bring all the hydration they will need with them, and refrain from drinking from water fountains or using them to refill bottles.
Covid-19 Questions
All attendees must be able to answer "No" to all these questions in order to be permitted to enter the venue:
Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours:
• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• muscle or body aches
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
Within the past 14 days, have you been in close physical contact (6 feet or closer for at least 15 minutes) with a person who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or with anyone who has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19?
Are you isolating or quarantining because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19?
Are you currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test?
