Last week, the Norwegian government opened up for gatherings of up to 50 people, and the Norwegian Orienteering Federation issued guidelines for organizing local orienteering events accordingly.
See the link to the announcement here (in Norwegian) and a lightly edited google translate version below:
http://orientering.no/nyheter/veileder-for-lokale-...Guidelines for organizing local orienteering events in Norway.
The Guidelines are valid from May 7 to June 15.
The basis for these guidelines is the authorities’ current infection prevention advice related to (i) the number of people gathered, (ii) social distancing, (iii) personal hygiene, and (iv) prevention of infection through touch. The authorities allow for organizing events as long as these events follow the relevant CDC recommendations.
NB! Individuals who have symptoms of respiratory infection should not attend/organize (even with only mild symptoms). This also applies to people who are in quarantine or in isolation. People in higher-risk groups are generally advised not to participate in events.
In order to limit travel activity, the guidelines are preferably used to organize local events only.
In Norway, it is now allowed to arrange orienteering events with up to 50 people gathered at any time. Orienteering activities performed individually is in itself not associated with a significant risk of spreading infections. The challenges are more related to (i) travel, (ii) the event center/arena, (iii) the start area, and (iv) punching at the controls.
For the organizer:
The organizer shall designate an infection control officer who is responsible for compliance with the rules at all times. This person shall be given authority to cancel the event and/or expel individuals from the event, if these guidelines are not complied with.
The prevention measures in place must be communicated to the participants both in the event invitation and at the event center/arena.
The organizer must have procedures in place to handle people who become ill during the event itself.
The arena and start area shall be arranged so that there are never more than 50 persons gathered at the same time [including participants and all other attendees]. This allows for new participants to join when those who have finished have left the event. The start time window should be wide, with no more than 3 runners starting per minute. The start area should be designed to ensure sufficient distancing. Each club/participant is assigned a specific start time block. This should be clearly stated in the organizer's event information.
When preparing maps, everyone involved should wash their hands before starting the task.
The organizer shall ensure adequate placement of disinfectants and clean water at the start and at the finish. Disinfectants do not work well on visibly dirty skin.
When placing control punches in the forest, the unit should be cleaned after it has been installed.
By the toilets, there should be access to clean water and disinfectants. Wash hands before and after the visit.
In order to avoid unnecessary gathering of people, registration should mainly be done digitally in advance.
There should be no sales or post-run water offered at the arena.
Prizes should not be distributed at the arena.
Split times slips should not be distributed. All results are to be made available online afterwards.
For participants:
Events are conducted according to the principle of come-run-go home, and no one should remain at the event center longer than necessary.
Follow the organizer's instructions. Remember the 1 meter distancing rule for anyone not living in the same household.
Do not stop by the control flag after punching – step away from the control if you need some time to prepare the next leg.
All participants bring their own water/wash cloth for cleaning after the finish.
Bring your own water bottle and food.
Start area procedures:
Follow the organizer's instructions related to start times and the procedures at the start. Remember the distancing rule when waiting at the start.
Everyone should use disinfections on their hands before entering the start queue.
Finish area procedures:
Plan the finish area so that there is sufficient space for distancing. After finishing, it should be arranged for participants to disinfect hands and electronic dibbers before downloads - prepare distancing markings in order to manage any queue for the downloads. Visible dirt must first be wiped away in order for the disinfectants to work effectively.
Do not gather closely together afterwards to discuss the course and route choices - distancing rules apply.
After the race:
Follow the organizer's instructions regarding staying at the arena. Do not stay unnecessarily at the arena after finishing. Take your belongings with you and leave the event as soon as practicable.