USA Rugby Regional and National Governance Mandate for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

via USA Rugby

Dear Members,

With recent developments surrounding the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in different territories of the country and globe, USA Rugby is issuing the following directive whereby regional stakeholders across the Youth, College and Senior Club sectors will be authorized to determine best practice for competition and activities in their respective districts and institutions.

Stakeholders are instructed to follow guidelines of their local government and health officials to best determine what actions to take. As the threat of COVID-19 can be significantly different in multiple areas of the US, it is premature for USA Rugby to implement nationwide mandates around the postponement or cancelation of all regional competitions. Should this circumstance change based on the evolving status of the virus, USA Rugby will communicate further instructions based on guidance from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Rugby.

At this stage, USA Rugby does however recommend the following precautions across all registered competition;

• To the best of your ability, limit rugby events and gatherings to under 200 individuals whereby only essential personnel are in attendance. Regardless of varied attendance, competition organizers should follow CDC Disinfectant Guidelines to thoroughly prepare facilities and materials for use.
• To the best of your ability, refrain from interstate travel for competitions. At this stage, USA Rugby cannot enforce a travel ban within the United States, however we strongly encourage teams research instructions from the CDC and local government for travel between each team’s origin and destination within the United States.
• All competition organizers should reference CDC materials for community events and mass gatherings. That information can be found HERE.
• Tournament Sanctioning: Payment for future tournament sanctioning will be postponed until 7 days prior to the event start date. To clarify, competition organizers may submit for event sanctioning, however payment for the sanctioning will not be immediately transacted to accommodate potential cancelation.

With regard to USA Rugby Youth, College and Club Championship events, along with RCT competitions, further evaluation will take place between the USA Rugby Medical Committee, USOPC and CDC to determine potential actions around postponement or cancelation. These determinations will be communicated to the membership and stakeholders in the coming days. As the situation develops, it is important that all factors and implications are considered to keep competitions intact, however intently prioritize the precautionary wellbeing of USA Rugby Members and those around them.

Additionally, all members are highly encouraged to follow instructions provided by the CDC on how to prevent the spread of any and all acute respiratory infections. That information can be found HERE.

Further CDC resources for the rugby community;

• College and University Guidance for Student Facilities
• Community Events & Mass Gatherings
• Facility Cleaning and Disinfection
  

Precautionary suggestions for athletes and administrators;

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;
  
• Any athletes or administrators showing symptoms of cough, fever and irregular shortness of breath should refrain from training or competition and stay home.
  
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment;
  
• Preferably avoid handshakes when greeting players and opponents;
• Use individual water bottles; do not share them;
  
• Towels, uniforms and training bibs should not be shared, if possible. Frequent laundry of these items is suggested;
• Training equipment should be cleaned with disinfectant following all sessions.
  

If you are intending to travel internationally with a rugby tour, similar to domestic travel, we strongly encourage clubs to reconsider plans. If deciding to travel, please coordinate with your host destination and work with them on the feasibility and risk prior to departing. We strongly advise you reference CDC Travel Advisories as it pertains to the hazards of COVID-19.

Given the evolving elements of this matter, USA Rugby will continue to be in constant contact with the CDC, USOPC and World Rugby in terms of new information and guidance. Updates and necessary information will be communicated directly to the membership via email, the USA Rugby website newsfeed and social media channels.