This is the Administrative process for Arlington and Washington Coaches (not students) to indicate that their qualified students are committed to competing at NCFL Nationals. This is NOT a tournament. Only Coaches can register students and also must provide the appropriate number of judges.

Additionally - all students, judges, coaches and observers MUST note the following from NCFL:

**IMPORTANT**

NCFL STATEMENT OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS for NCFL 2022 DC

January 17, 2022

The NCFL is committed to hosting the safest tournament possible while still providing an in-person forum for competition which so many of our students have not had for the past two years. NCFL Nationals 2022 DC will adhere to the current DC Mask and Vaccine mandates in place as of January 17, 2022. These mandates include:

• (1) Universal masking for all persons when in common areas in the hotels and competition venues and in competition rooms except when actively eating or drinking, or, in our case, actively performing or presenting a speech. Students are welcome to wear masks during performances or speeches if they prefer and will not be penalized. The use of KN/N 95 masks is strongly encouraged.
• (2) Proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID PCR or Antigen test result that is fewer than 24 hours old. While not currently required, booster shots are strongly encouraged. If providing a test result, the attendee must also provide documentation of a medical exemption or attestation of a sincerely held religious belief. Persons younger than age 12 will not be permitted in NCFL competition spaces.

Accordingly, the NCFL will require proof of vaccination or documentation of a medical exemption or an attestation of a sincerely held religious belief by May 1, 2022 for all participants (students, coaches, and judges) as well as observers, who this year will be required to register with the tournament. The NCFL will provide instructions in the coming weeks on how to submit this information, as well as how to submit proof of a negative COVID PCR or Antigen test, if you have submitted a medical exemption or attestation of a sincerely held religious belief.

To enable decision making by our member schools, teams, and their families, and ensure the safest possible event, even if Washington, DC should loosen its mandates, the NCFL will not. The NCFL commits to enforcing at least these mask and vaccine mandates throughout the tournament and will enforce any additional mandates required by the city of Washington, DC at the time of the tournament in May, 2022.

We are committed to the health and safety of all of our participants and guests; thus, we will be limiting large gatherings by holding registration, meetings, judge training, judge calls, postings, and mass online. Awards will be live with some modifications to allow for distancing protocols. More details about specific procedures will be made available as the tournament planning progresses.

We look forward to finally seeing everyone together and in-person again in May!

Susan Peebles
and the Entire NCFL Executive Committee