Mountain Alliance COVID-19 Policies/Guidelines
The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically increased the risk associated with being in contact with other people. An inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any public place where people are present, including Mountain Alliance (MA) programs. The consequences of this exposure can have a variety of results which range from becoming sick to possible death.
These guidelines are in place to help protect staff, students and their families while still being able to participate in MA programs. Students are expected to follow these guidelines to the best of their abilities while participating in the program. These guidelines are a compilation of recommendations from the CDC, local and state governments, and from other organizations that are doing similar programming. Guidelines will be updated regularly due to the ever changing nature of COVID-19. It is our responsibility as an organization to protect our students and the communities that we are a part of.
Quick summary (see further description below):
All students will be required to properly wear a mask
Social distancing of at least six feet is expected
Main a good level of hand cleanliness
Avoid sharing gear
Transportation options are reduced
Students must comply with screening steps prior to programs
Expanded Points with Further Explanation:
When in MA spaces or participating in programs, all students will be required to properly wear a mask (including outdoor spaces).
Students need to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer (when hand washing is unavailable) prior to putting on their mask.
Students should arrive wearing a mask unless they need to borrow a mask from MA. If a student needs to borrow a mask, they should inform MA of this need before the program.
Students are allowed to bring their own masks. However, MA staff reserve the right to inspect them and require students to wear a MA issued mask instead.
Masks need to cover the nose and mouth and be secured under the chin.
MA staff will review proper mask etiquette before programs.
Masks need to be worn at all times except as noted below:
Eating/Drinking outdoors with at least 6ft in between people
Social distancing of at least six feet will be expected at all times indoors and outdoors
The six feet standard applies to everyone, including siblings and students who spend time in proximity with each other outside of MA.
Students will be provided with a 6 foot visual as a guide at the beginning of programs.
Staff will sometimes need to be within six feet of students while managing risks and program safety (providing medical assistance, checking knots and harnesses for climbing programs, sizing a bike to a student, etc). Staff will wear masks when coming in close proximity to students and will limit this time as much as possible.
We will have a system that strives to maintain a good level of hand cleanliness
Handwashing will be required if a sink is available or if it is practical and possible to set up a hand washing station.
Hand sanitizer will be available during programs, especially when hand washing is not accessible. Students will be required to use hand sanitizer when asked by staff to do so.
We will focus efforts to clean or sanitize hands during the following situations:
When students arrive for a program
Before and after adjusting or taking off masks
After touching a communal surface or object
Before and after eating
After using the bathroom
When individual/personal gear is required for a program, students must use only what they bring for themselves or what is assigned to them by MA. Individual/personal gear should not be shared with other students in order to reduce the risk of spreading diseases.
Transportation with MA vehicles will be limited and capacity will be significantly reduced. If transportation is necessary for a program or for medical reasons, masks will be required and staff and students will maintain 6 ft of distance.
Students must complete a pre-screening prior to attending the program. Students may be asked to not attend the trip/program if they do not pass the pre-screening.
Pre-program: Please pay attention to any indications that the student may be sick or exposed to COVID-19 and let us know if this is the case ahead of the program.
The day of program screening will include a temperature check and a brief set of questions:
Have you had close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) in the last 14 days with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or has any health department or health care provider been in contact with you and advised you to quarantine?
Do you have any of the following symptoms? Fever, Chills, Shortness of breath, New cough, New loss of taste or smell?
Since you were last at school/with MA, have you been diagnosed with COVID-19?
Parents dropping off students will be required to wait for students until they have passed their day of screening
In summary, we expect students to honor the COVID-19 guidelines of MA and adhere to the standards of Watauga and Avery County Schools. We expect students to be committed, conscientious participants during programs and while in our spaces. We expect students to be honest and forthright in their reporting of symptoms and possible exposures.
Safety is of the utmost importance to the success of programs, especially as we all navigate the increased risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Students that do not adhere to the safety guidelines above may lose the privilege to participate in MA programs.
We are excited to offer in-person programs and do this in a way that mitigates risk of spreading COVID-19. Our mental health is as important as our physical health. Being outside and sharing experiences with others can be a major health benefit, especially in this time of isolation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any concerns or suggestions for making our programs more secure.