(Colorado Springs, Colo.) — USA Fencing announced today that health and safety protocols designed to protect athletes, coaches, referees and spectators will remain in place for the Division I/Parafencing National Championships and April North American Cup, set for April 21–24, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C.
USA Fencing’s decision to keep the policies unchanged was made after collecting feedback from USA Fencing members, including athletes, parents, coaches and officials. While USA Fencing is open to changing policies for future events — based on the latest health guidance and feedback from our members — we also acknowledge that changing the guidelines just weeks before our Charlotte event could create confusion and force members and officials to alter their plans for attending the tournament on short notice.
Protocols in place for Charlotte include:
- Masks: Everyone in attendance ages 3 and older, including coaches, athletes, spectators and staff must wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times, including fencers during live competition. According to the USA Fencing mask mandate, masks must be two-layer cloth masks or surgical face coverings. Single-layer gaiters, bandannas, masks with vents, and inserts that clip into the fencing mask and do not fully contact the athlete’s face are not permitted.
- Proof of vaccination: Everyone in attendance ages 12 and older — including coaches, athletes, spectators and staff — must provide proof of vaccination. Everyone in attendance between the ages of 3 and 11 — including spectators — must provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from within 72 hours of arrival to the venue. For more information, see the “Providing Your Proof of Vaccination” section below.
- Social distancing: We encourage everyone to practice social distancing measures while in the venue.
- Handshakes: Athletes should salute at the conclusion of a bout instead of shaking hands with each other, the referee and coaches.