First and Most Importantly
If you are ill, please stay home.
If you have been exposed, close contact, with someone whom has tested positive or is reasonably sure they have the Covid19 symptoms or infection, please stay home.
If you yourself are knowingly positive for the Covid19 infection, you MUST STAY HOME. Knowingly presenting the chance for spreading the infection to others could cause criminal and civil liability.
If you have been exposed, close contact, with someone whom has tested positive or is reasonably sure they have the Covid19 symptoms or infection, please stay home.
If you yourself are knowingly positive for the Covid19 infection, you MUST STAY HOME. Knowingly presenting the chance for spreading the infection to others could cause criminal and civil liability.
As we all know, all too well, the pertinent information surrounding the current state of the Covid 19 Pandemic changes frequently.
As we get closer to the date of the competition, this page will be updated with the latest protocols and expectations for Competitors, Coaches, Staff and Attendees. Keeping everyone as safe as possible, through these challenges and creating the best experience possible for everyone is our goal!
The competition venue is Hall C of the Georgia World Congress Center. This is located in the Corner of building "C" and can be directly accessed from nearby parking lots.
The competition venue is a large (100,000+ square feet), well ventilated space with ceiling heights of 40+ feet.
Competitive entries for this competition will be limited to provide more space and time. This will allow for more, spaced, spectator seating and enhanced cleaning protocol.
Squads will be constructed and sizes will be limited to minimize overall, unnecessary interaction.
Seating will be allowed by "groups or pods" of spectators known to one another or members of a family group. These groups/Pods will have space remain socially distanced from other groups/pods.
The competition venue is a large (100,000+ square feet), well ventilated space with ceiling heights of 40+ feet.
Competitive entries for this competition will be limited to provide more space and time. This will allow for more, spaced, spectator seating and enhanced cleaning protocol.
Squads will be constructed and sizes will be limited to minimize overall, unnecessary interaction.
Seating will be allowed by "groups or pods" of spectators known to one another or members of a family group. These groups/Pods will have space remain socially distanced from other groups/pods.
While the Georgia World Congress Center is being used as an auxiliary hospital for the Covid Pandemic related illnesses, there is no danger to our event. The auxiliary hospital is housed within building A. The Paws competition is being held in building C, specifically, Hall C4. These are entirely separate buildings that do not share any utilities or ventilation. Hall C4 is ideal for this years competition as it can be accessed without traveling through any other part of the World Congress Complex and hosts its own two parking lots.
Covid Protocols
The safety of all gymnasts, coaches, judges, spectators, and volunteers is very important to us. We are implementing the following COVID-19 precautions and policies with that goal in mind. These guidelines will be fluid during the pre-meet planning process as national and local guidelines change. We will communicate any updates as they occur to participating gyms and post them on our website.
1) Sharon Kelly will serve as COVID Coordinators for Atlanta's 2021 Paws for a Cause Invitational. They will work to develop policies in compliance with all county, city, and state guidelines pertaining to COVID–19. They will also be available at the meet to deal with any COVID concerns/questions. They can be reached with specific questions or concerns at sharon@ultimategymsports.com
2) Masks OR face shields will be required by all while inside the venue. Disposable masks will be available at admissions for anyone who does not have a mask available. Gymnasts will be able to remove their mask or face shield once they are on the competition floor. Signage will be posted at all entrances informing all that masks are required for entry.
3) Individual gyms are encouraged to screen their athletes’ temperature upon arrival. An athlete with a temperature greater than 100.4 should leave the competition venue as soon as possible.
4) Hand Sanitizer will be available at admissions as well as throughout the competition floor.
5) Each gymnast should come prepared with their own bag of chalk, spray bottle and grip brush. We will not have the chalk buckets out on the competition floor.
6) Admissions will be cashless and will be advertised as such. Plexiglas barriers will be located on admissions tables.
7) Signage will be posted at each entrance area posting that entry will be prohibited for those:
8) Signage will be posted throughout the venue promoting 6 foot social distancing.
9) Equipment will be cleaned between rotations through the use of CDC accepted cleaning solutions and recommendations.
10) Only bottled water will be offered to coaches and judges on the competition floor. Athletes should bring their own water bottles.
11) Face shields will be provided to judges who choose to wear them in addition to their required mask.
12) In past years, The Georgia World Congress Center has allowed for plenty of seating and we have never been at capacity during previous competitions. This will allow spectators to socially distance, but should there be a need, seating and building capacity will be limited per city, state, and county guidelines at the time of the meet in February 2021. We will communicate these to participating gyms one week prior to the meet to ensure the most up-to-date guidelines are being followed.
13) Hospitality meals will be pre-packed “Grab and Go" provided by concessions vouchers to qualifying coaches.
14) Extra time between sessions will be scheduled to allow for deeper cleaning of the competition floor (chairs in event corrals, judges tables, and equipment).
15) Athletes from the same gym will be co-horted into rotations as able.
16) Equipment on the gym floor will be arranged so that travel by spectators can be kept to a minimum.
17) Only competing athletes may be within the competition area and/or accompany coaching staff
2) Masks OR face shields will be required by all while inside the venue. Disposable masks will be available at admissions for anyone who does not have a mask available. Gymnasts will be able to remove their mask or face shield once they are on the competition floor. Signage will be posted at all entrances informing all that masks are required for entry.
3) Individual gyms are encouraged to screen their athletes’ temperature upon arrival. An athlete with a temperature greater than 100.4 should leave the competition venue as soon as possible.
4) Hand Sanitizer will be available at admissions as well as throughout the competition floor.
5) Each gymnast should come prepared with their own bag of chalk, spray bottle and grip brush. We will not have the chalk buckets out on the competition floor.
6) Admissions will be cashless and will be advertised as such. Plexiglas barriers will be located on admissions tables.
7) Signage will be posted at each entrance area posting that entry will be prohibited for those:
- Individuals that have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and remain infectious according to CDC guidance.
- Individuals that have symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell) or who have had the symptoms 5 days before the competition.
- Individuals who have otherwise been sick, or in the past 14 days have been in close contact with an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who has symptoms of COVID-19.
8) Signage will be posted throughout the venue promoting 6 foot social distancing.
9) Equipment will be cleaned between rotations through the use of CDC accepted cleaning solutions and recommendations.
10) Only bottled water will be offered to coaches and judges on the competition floor. Athletes should bring their own water bottles.
11) Face shields will be provided to judges who choose to wear them in addition to their required mask.
12) In past years, The Georgia World Congress Center has allowed for plenty of seating and we have never been at capacity during previous competitions. This will allow spectators to socially distance, but should there be a need, seating and building capacity will be limited per city, state, and county guidelines at the time of the meet in February 2021. We will communicate these to participating gyms one week prior to the meet to ensure the most up-to-date guidelines are being followed.
13) Hospitality meals will be pre-packed “Grab and Go" provided by concessions vouchers to qualifying coaches.
14) Extra time between sessions will be scheduled to allow for deeper cleaning of the competition floor (chairs in event corrals, judges tables, and equipment).
15) Athletes from the same gym will be co-horted into rotations as able.
16) Equipment on the gym floor will be arranged so that travel by spectators can be kept to a minimum.
17) Only competing athletes may be within the competition area and/or accompany coaching staff
