COVID PROTOCOLS

TFA State 2022 Covid Protocols ~ *updated 2/2/22

This will be a page that we expect to see some changes as we tweak COVID protocols based on changes in CDC, State, and local guidance.

1) Do not bring students who are feeling ill or exhibiting COVID symptoms to the tournament. Please be diligent about this; even if it is not COVID we don't really want flu, stomach-bug, strep throat, etc. going around the tournament either.

2) We ask that coaches please try to ensure that all members of their team and coaching staff receive a negative COVID test (rapid or PCR acceptable) within at least 7 days prior to the start of competition. We recognize that in many areas of the state, testing is presently difficult to to come by which is why we have increased the window for students to get tested. Hopefully with this advanced notice and a larger window, it will be easy for your students to schedule tests. We are not collecting this data and trust coaches to do what is best for their students and in line with their individual school or school district's rules and regulations. This is not a requirement but one measure that teams can take to help reduce the risk of bringing a sick child to the state meet.

3) Masks are strongly encouraged to be worn throughout the tournament when not actively speaking/performing. Students should also take care to socially distance throughout the tournament and while competing. Desks will be clearly marked for competitors and judges to ensure social distancing during speech/debate rounds. Ensuring proper social distancing will be essential to ensuring that students get to compete at their state meet. 

4) Sanitation and masks stations will be located throughout the buildings for students who need new masks. There will be sanitizer and brown paper towels in all competition rooms so that students and judges can sanitize rooms before and after rounds. 

5) We will be incredibly strict with respect to contract tracing and removing competitors and judges who were exposed to sick students and not properly socially distanced. Improper socially distanced defined by the CDC means not wearing a mask for greater than 15 minutes within 6 feet of someone. All speech and debate rounds can adhere to this definition of socially distanced as long as students are wearing masks while not actively performing; debate competitors should likely mask during cross-examination periods because a) multiple people talking and b) depending on the event it would carry someone over the 15 min mark. To ensure that your student is not at risk of being removed from the tournament due to contract tracing procedures/close contact, it is strongly suggested they wear masks properly at all times while not competing. Contract tracing and decisions to remove students from the tournament will be conducted by the tab room.