Curling during COVID-19

For the safety of all of our members and guests, all individuals participating in Ocean State Curling Club activities must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and a mask is recommended. We hold the safety and well-being of our community as our top priority, and our board is in regular discussions about what curling will look like when we can get back on the ice. We will be sharing our guidelines that will dictate how a return to curling will look for OSCC soon at this page, and will continue to be updated as time goes on. Last updated: November 20, 2021

Vaccination Policy

Participation in any Ocean State Curling Club events (leagues, Learn to Curls, etc.) during the 2022-2023 season will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of vaccination may be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or you may show your proof of vaccination at your curling event.

Self Screening before curling

   All curlers shall self-check prior to attending a curling event using the CDC Coronavirus Self Checker: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/coronavirus-self-checker.html and should not attend their curling event if indicated by the self checker. 

What you may expect at the Rink 

   Mask Policy

• Masks covering mouth and nose are recommended for everyone off and on the ice. 

   Arriving to the Rink

• Enter the arena no more than 15 minutes before the start of your event.
• Each person will be asked to provide feedback to a health screening at the time of arrival or self-screen prior to arrival.
• Arrive dressed for curling (with the exception of curling shoes), stretched, and ready to curl.
• While waiting in the bleachers for setup, please remain socially distant from other members.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided and located at the entrance to the ice, and at each end of the sheets.
• An OSCC member may record attendance for the purpose of contact tracing.

Setup and Breakdown of Equipment 

   Curling Setup

• For League Curling - The league will designate teams/individuals with specific tasks involved in setup.  
• For other curling events, volunteers will be designated with specific tasks involved in setup
• No more than one person will be allowed in the storage area at a time. 
  • Individuals may rotate in and out of the storage area during setup.
  • One individual will be responsible for removing items from the storage area and placing them in the walkway just outside of the storage area. 
  • No more than one person at a time should be in the walkway area. 
  • One individual will be responsible for bringing the cart or other items from the walkway to the rink. 

• Each team will be responsible for sanitizing their stone handles before and after each match.
  • Sanitizing wipes will be provided.
  • The carts also act as storage units for the stones, so they may be sanitized prior to placement in the storage area.
• Brooms and stabilizers should also be sanitized before and after each match.

   Pre-Match guidelines

• Hammer will be determined by Coin Toss or Rock-Paper-Scissors
• In lieu of Pre-Game Handshakes, simply say “Good Curling”.

   In game guidelines

• Player’s Stones
  • Players should use the same two stones throughout the entire match. 
    • Stones should be checked to ensure that their numbers are clearly marked, and numbers should be replaced, if needed.
  • Players should not touch other stones except with a broom or foot.

   Brooms, Stabilizers, and Sliders

• Brooms
  • Players utilizing club brooms should use a sanitizing wipe on the broom before and after each game.

• Stabilizers
  • Players utilizing stabilizers should wipe them down after each match.  When possible, use a broom to move the stabilizer.
  • Each player utilizing a club stabilizer should utilize hand sanitizer prior to use. 
• Sliders
  • Players utilizing sliders should wipe them down after each match.  When possible, use a broom to move the sliders.
  • Each player utilizing a slider should utilize hand sanitizer prior to use. 

   Scoreboards 

• Vices will determine scoring as normal, but only the vice of the team who started the match with the hammer will be responsible for placing scoring markers on the board for both teams.

   Clearing stones from the house

• To the extent possible only use brooms or feet to move stones.

   Water Bottles and other beverage containers should be kept separate and not shared between curlers.

Post Match Guidelines

When exiting the ice, please maintain a safe distance from other curlers.

   Curling Cleanup

• Each team will be responsible for putting away their own stones.
• Stone handles should be wiped down with sanitizing wipes after each match.
• One individual from each team will be responsible for moving the cart back into the storage area.
  •   As with setup, only one individual will be allowed in the storage area at a time.  
• Specific individuals will be assigned other clean up duties such as, removing the hacks, picking up the cones, placing sliders and stabilizers back in their bins, and bringing that equipment back to the storage area.
• Each individual who uses a league broom will be responsible for wiping it down with sanitizing wipes after the match and placing it back in the barrel.

Additional considerations for curling during COVID-19 

• The curling season may be halted due to a spike in infection rates, updated guidance from the rink, town, state, or CDC.
• All curlers must follow the isolation, quarantine, and testing rules of the Rhode Island Department of Health
• We encourage you all to follow the CDC-outlined prevention measures, including frequent hand washing and staying home if you or your family are sick. 
• If you develop any symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please first contact your doctor and the RIDOH COVID-19 Info Line at 401-222-8022 (or your local DOH). If you have been curling, please We would also request that you reach out to use at this confidential address to alert our board leadership: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• If you or someone you live with tests positive for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19, please self-isolate or quarantine as prescribed by local and CDC guidelines, and alert the club through the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. email address.