Dear PSIMET Racing:


The following message will be going out to all organizers that permitted in 2019, or so far in 2020, today. This message builds on what we sent to everyone on this list earlier this week:



The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has resulted in impacts to everyday lives around the world, as well as businesses, travel and events. USA Cycling has received several inquiries revolving around how the cycling community can cope with these impacts.



Due to the wide-ranging events and jurisdictions involved, USA Cycling is not pre-emptively requiring the postponement or cancellation of events. Rather it is up to each event organizer to work with their local government agencies and health providers to determine the risk associated with their event. USA Cycling policies and regulations never override civil laws, regulations and policies.



Organizers who are concerned that their event will be impacted should contact their USA Cycling Event Service Coordinator or Event Service Regional Manager, all of whom are prepared to assist in the case that events need to be rescheduled, postponed or if necessary cancelled.



Guidance for Event Organizers and Participants



Event organizers, participants, volunteers and staff are advised to follow the guidance set out by their local Health Departments as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Many of these common-sense guidelines are good practice at all times – and also prevent common illnesses such as influenza.

· Follow basic hygiene procedures as outlined by the CDC on their website.


· Event Organizers should review the specific event suggestions made by the CDC here.



Organizers should also consult with their event medical team to ensure the following:

· There is a plan with event medical in case anyone appears with symptoms at the event

· That all responders have appropriate personal protective equipment


· All parties are familiar with the various decision makers and have all contact information required


· The medical team conducts an event briefing with all stakeholders



Event staff should also contact their local health department or other government agencies for any specific restrictions or guidelines in their jurisdiction.



Cycling Specific Examples



After reviewing the information in the links above, consider how you can make your event safer. Below are just a few examples to point out the types of situations we see in our sport. Think about how you can integrate the suggestions made by the CDC into the specific requirements of your event. Examples:



Riders at a Gran Fondo stop at an aid station to refill bottles out of large water containers and take food from trays.



Consider alternative methods to having each rider putting hands on a cooler. Alternatives could be individual bottles of water or a running faucet. Instead of riders reaching for communal food on trays, food may be set out in individual containers (ie. small cups). As outlined by the CDC, provide plenty of prevention supplies available for riders, staff and volunteers and train these parties in its proper use.



A volunteer/staff member comes to your event with symptoms.



No matter the cause, volunteers or staff with symptoms of any contagious illness should be released from duty and sent home or to seek appropriate care.



A volunteer holds all riders at the start of a road time trial.



Consider having all riders start with a foot on the ground instead.



Riders are required to "sign in" on a sheet before the start of your race.



Instead have the riders advise a designated official or volunteer of their verbal "sign in" and have the single commissaire or volunteer mark them off on a sheet.



Riders are required to have bicycles checked and/or measured.



In the interim, USA Cycling is authorizing visual inspections to reduce touching of equipment passed between riders, mechanics and officials.





Useful Links:



General COVID-19 Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html



CDC Event Organizer COVID-19 Guidance:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...-covid-19.html



Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019.../symptoms.html



USA Cycling Contacts: https://www.usacycling.org/about-us/contact-us



UCI Information on COVID-19: https://www.uci.org/inside-uci/press...ional-calendar