COVID-19 Updates

Sanctioned/Approved Activity
COVID-19 Updates
Webinars

Provincial Specific Progression to Larger Boat Activity 

Under the guidance of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mike Wilkinson, RCA is proceeding with a phased approach to lifting restrictions on sanctioned activity.

RCA is working alongside our PRA partners to lift restrictions on sanctioned activity for larger boats through a provincially customized approach in line with changing provincial regulations and with our interpretation of how they apply to rowing.

RCA Sanctioned Activity by Province
(where possible with local regulations in place)

Province	Approved Sanctioned Activity	Additional Information	Effective Date
All Provinces	1X for experienced rowers		Tuesday May 19, 2020
	2X/- for experienced rowers		Monday June 29, 2020
	1X for those new to rowing 2X for those new to rowing with an experienced rower from the same household		Monday July 20, 2020
Provincial Specific Sanctioned Activity
BC	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4-, 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are contained to the same group	Group size not to exceed 10 individuals Contact Rowing BC for more information regarding provincial requirements	Monday Sept 7, 2020
AB	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4-, 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are contained to the same group within a cohort	Group* size not to exceed 15. Cohort size not to exceed 50 individuals.   The cohort should always include only the same individuals. The 50 maximum includes any coaches/staff, instructors, participants, officials, and volunteers who consistently and routinely engage with participants at a distance of less than 2 metres. RCA recommends that cohort size be limited as much as possible to manage risk. Coaches, staff and officials who primarily interact with individuals or teams at a distance of 2 metres or greater do not need to be counted as part of the cohort. These individuals are required to wear a mask and perform proper hand hygiene if it becomes necessary to temporarily interact with cohorting participants at a distance of less than 2 metres. *Group: A defined number of individuals who have regular contact with each other within 2m. The group should only include the same individuals who regularly train together and limit contact to this small group of individuals.  (example: crew (s))	Monday Sept 14, 2020
SK	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4-, 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are contained to the same group within a cohort	Group* size not to exceed 15. Cohort* size not to exceed 50 individuals.  RCA recommends that cohort size be limited as much as possible to manage risk.  Group: A defined number of individuals who have regular contact with each other within 2m. The group should only include the same individuals who regularly train together and limit contact to this small group of individuals.  (example: crew (s))  Cohort: A defined number of individuals who interact with each other within the rowing environment while maintaining physical distancing of 2m at minimum. The cohort should only include the same individuals. Cohorts may have multiple groups. (example: club programs)	Monday Sept 28, 2020
MB	Currently no changes
ON	1X, 2X/-,4X/4+/4-, 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are contained within a cohort and where necessary, a rowing circle	Rowing Circle* not to exceed 15 people. Cohort* size not to exceed 100 individuals. RCA recommends that cohort size be limited as much as possible to manage risk. A maximum of 100 individuals who are physically distancing (maintaining 2m of distance) are allowed on site (50 is maximum inside at one time). The number may need to be smaller, dictated by site size to allow the required space for 2m physically distancing. Rowing Circle: A defined number of individuals who regularly are rowing together and come within 2m of each other while participating in rowing activities. Each rowing circle could contain crew with substitutes, coxie and coaches depending on your program design and set up. Cohort: A defined number of individuals who interact with each other within the rowing environment while maintaining physical distancing of 2m at minimum. The cohort should only include the same individuals. Cohorts may have multiple rowing circles operating within them as well as individual rowers.	Monday Sept 14, 2020
QC	16 and Under 1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4, 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are the age of 16 and under who are contained to the same group within a cohort. Over 16 1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4, 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are over the age of 16 for a maximum of 15 minutes duration* who are contained to the same group within a cohort. 1X for those over the age of 16 may row for longer than 15 minutes if there is no contact with other individuals within 2m.	Group* size not to exceed 15. Cohort* size not to exceed 250 individuals.  RCA recommends that cohort size be limited as much as possible to manage risk.  Individuals over the age of 16 may only come in contact within 2m for a maximum of 15 minutes (eg coaches for groups of individuals 16 years and younger). 1X for those over the age of 16 may row for longer than 15 minutes if there is no contact with other individuals within 2m. Group: A defined number of individuals who have regular contact with each other within 2m. The group should only include the same individuals who regularly train together and limit contact to this small group of individuals.  (example: crew (s))  Cohort: A defined number of individuals who interact with each other within the rowing environment while maintaining physical distancing of 2m at minimum. The cohort should only include the same individuals. Cohorts may have multiple groups. (example: club programs)	Monday Sept 14, 2020
NB	Currently no changes
NS	1X, 2X/, 4X/4+/4, 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are contained to the same group	Group size not to exceed 10 individuals. Any individual who has regular contact within 2m should be included in the defined group (for instance, in some cases coaches will be included in the group). A maximum of 50 individuals (ie multiple groups up to a maximum of 50 individuals) who are social distancing (maintaining 2m of distance) are allowed on site. RCA recommends limiting the number of individuals on site as much as possible to manage risk.	Monday Sept 14, 2020
PEI	Currently no changes
NL	Currently no changes

Additional Information and Considerations

Clubs must have a completed RCA Risk Assessment and Mitigation Checklist tool on record, however they are NOT required to update it with provincial specific lifting of RCA restrictions on sanctioned activity. Clubs must update their own protocols to reflect any new changes.
Clubs should ensure that refund policies are clearly communicated in all advertisements for new programming. RCA fees will be refunded for programs that are cancelled prior to their start date due to COVID-19.
Clubs should continue to offer dedicated “safe” training time for High Risk individuals as outlined in the RCA Risk Assessment and Mitigation Checklist tool.
RCA is the authoritative body for what is considered RCA sanctioned activity however clubs must also abide by their local, provincial and federal public health guidelines when making decisions and assessments related to the programming they offer.
RCA encourages our clubs to continue applying diligence in your planning. Clubs are not obligated to offer additional programming beyond their current capacity and we expect participants to support the decisions of club leaders.

Contact RCA (tdillon@rowingcanada.org and jfitzpatrick@rowingcanada.org) and your PRA immediately regarding any of the following:

An individual at your club has a positive COVID-19 test
An individual at your club has been advised by Public Health to quarantine or be tested as they have been in close contact with an individual who has a positive COVID-19 test or confirmed COVID-19 illness.

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly evolves in Canada, we are all now facing significant and unique challenges. These are exceptionally difficult times and our number one priority is the health and well-being of our rowing community.

Working with RCA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mike Wilkinson and informed by the Canadian Sport Medicine Advisory Committee, we continue to closely monitor the situation. We encourage our member organizations to remain informed through regular updates from health authorities and other governing agencies within their jurisdiction.

The RCA office, located in the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE), is currently closed. Staff are working remotely and are accessible via email and phone.

We are updating our online events listing as regattas, workshops, and special events are cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. Please refer to our Events page for more information.

RCA Updates

September 11 – Return to Rowing #5
September 4 – Return to Rowing #4

July 31 – Indoor Activity/Use or Ergometers
RCA permits the use of ergometers outdoors with appropriate spacing in placing (at minimum 2m). RCA permits the use of ergometers indoors for individual use only. Indoor group erg training is not advised.

As some re-opening phases across Canada will now allow indoor activity, we strongly advise that clubs avoid the use of ergometers indoors for group training until the risks are further evaluated. RCA will continue to provide updates and recommendations based on the medical advice of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mike Wilkinson.

July 10 – 2020 National Rowing Championships and Canada Cup Cancelled
July 9 – Return to Rowing #3
June 26 – Return to Rowing #2
May 15 – Return to Rowing #1
April 29 – 2020 Cascadia RCA Masters Championships Cancelled
April 16 – Member Update
April 9 – International Event Cancellations
April 2 – Member Update and Support
March 23 – Statement of Support
March 17 – Guidance for RCA Member Organizations
March 10