of some competitive SCRABBLE tournaments overseasworldwide.

It is easy to communicate respiratory diseases when playing SCRABBLE'''On 2020-03-18,because opponents face each other in close proximity and handleplaying equipment that has been handled by many other playerswe [http://www.icontact-archive. Theyalso often compete in confined andcom/archive?c=1384631&f=6038&s=14937&m=286005&t=42bfeecf990f5ae04e8a9ea793c9a29e79393ee2e6b4b72ecef1a231ef1a0fa9 advised] all directors to cancel or public spacespostpone all sanctioned club and tournament activity, and may beexposed to many fellow travellers on their way to and from eventsnot resume until the appropriate public health authorities have recommended doing so.'''

We recommend that all participants carefully assess their healthrisk '''On 2020-06-XX, we published guidance on when competing in SCRABBLE tournaments or attending and how to resume competitive SCRABBLE clubs, and follow best practicesactivities according to help mitigate their risk of contracting not just COVIDa four-19, butother contagious diseases such as influenzacolor SCRABBLE safety level scheme.'''

'''In particular, we have advised all directors to cancel or postpone all sanctioned Players should check with club and tournament activity, and directors to make sure thatevents have not resume until the appropriate public health authorities have recommended doing so.''' Click [http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1384631&f=6038&s=14937&m=286005&t=42bfeecf990f5ae04e8a9ea793c9a29e79393ee2e6b4b72ecef1a231ef1a0fa9 here] to see been cancelled at the announcementlast minute.

== Right to play vsCOVID-19 can cause several avoidable or mitigable hazards. right of refusal ==

A NASPA member in good standing has a right {|!Hazard!Chance!Impact!Risk!Mitigated Risk!Countermeasures|-|Bringing COVID-19 to participate invenue|High|High|High|Medium|Screening, color-coded safety phases|-|Finding COVID-19 at venue|Low|High|Medium|Low|Screening, separation from other users|-|Spread during play|High|High|High|High|Spacing, ventilation, single-use equipment, disinfection, pairing|-|Spread between roundsNASPA|High|High|High|Medium|Spacing, hand-sanctioned eventswashing, unless the supervising [[Directorseliminate reasons to gather|director]] has-good reason |Spread to refuse their participation./from staff|High|High|High|Medium|Spacing, barriers, hand-washing, electronic communication|-|Player becomes sick at event|Low|High|Medium|Medium|Screening, recording contacts, awareness of local medical protocol|-|Staff becomes sick at event|Low|High|Medium|Medium|Screening, recording contacts, awareness of local medical protocol, redundancy|}

A player who has a severe contagious airborne disease should We will discuss appropriate countermeasures in more detail belowbe refused participation on in the grounds that they endanger therest context of the participantscolor-coded SCRABBLE safety levels.

== Best practices for all participants General Principles ==

While our advice here is tailored to From 2020 on, we will always be living in an era with a heightened awareness ofthe needs risks of pandemic disease. No matter what the current SCRABBLE playerssafety level,be mindfulall participants should regularly check recommendations from publicof your health authorities for up-to-date and possibly locally specificadvicesafety and those around you. In preparing this page, we have consulted:

* The White HouseA NASPA [[Director]] has a duty to provide a safe environment for their players,to instruct them on how best to ensure their safety, and to verify their** [https://wwwcompliance.youtube.com/watch?v=i4gDJA22BNs President Trump instructs Americans  A NASPA Director can refuse entry to avoid meeting players if the director deemsthat their participation will result in groups of 10+, and discretionary travel]an unsafe environment for other* World Health Organization players. A NASPA member has a duty to share any information (WHOsuch astheir positive infectious status)that may affect the safety of other members** [https://wwwaround them.who If there are reasonable grounds to believe that a player may have asevere contagious disease, even if they are not symptomatic, theplayer should be refused participation to avoid exposing other participants to unnecessary risk of contagion.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice- == SCRABBLE Safety Levels == There are different systems in place across the continent for-public Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice describingwhat the current pandemic safety level is, and for the public]recommending correspondingly* Center appropriate measures. Here is one for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)our competitive SCRABBLE community,using the popular** [https<span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">red<//www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019span> -<span style="background-ncovcolor:yellow">yellow</index.html COVIDspan> -19 page]** [https<span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">green<//www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019span> -<span style="background-ncovcolor:#C0C0FF">blue</community/indexspan>scheme from most dangerous to most safe.html community mitigation plans]* The Public Health Agency SCRABBLE safety level applies to specific groups of Canada people gathered for a specific NASPA-sanctioned event (PHACclub meeting or tournament). It is keyed to the government safety levels of each of the participants and venue,but is more restrictive.NASPA&rsquo;s reopening will therefore take a regionally phased approach as in many states and provinces.** [https; <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red<//wwwspan>: Governments restrict or recommend against gatherings of fewer than 100 people.canadaNo one may meet to play SCRABBLE in person.ca/en/public; <span style="background-health/servicescolor:yellow">Yellow</diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/frequently-asked-questions.html COVID-19 FAQ]span>** [https://wwwGovernments allow all business to reopen but require or recommend some social distancing measures.canadaParticipants may meet and play tablet SCRABBLE, but may not share equipment or paper, or approach within six feet (2 m) of each other.ca/en/public; <span style="background-healthcolor:#C0FFC0">Green</services/diseases/2019span>: Governments lift all pandemic-novelrelated restrictions and recommendations, but there have been confirmed or probable cases within 14 days. Participants may meet and play SCRABBLE under <span style="background-coronavirus-infectioncolor:#C0FFC0">Green</healthspan> rules as described below.; <span style="background-professionalscolor:#C0C0FF">Blue</massspan>: There are no government pandemic-gatheringsrelated restrictions or recommendations, or confirmed or probable cases within 14 days. Participants may meet and play SCRABBLE with no restrictions.  Our color-coded guidance is designed to mitigate risk-assesment, but cannot eliminate it.html Risk-informed decision-Please think carefully about your personal risk profile when making for mass gatherings during COVIDchoices about competing in SCRABBLE events. Failure to comply with color-19 global outbreakcoded measures will be deemed physical abuse under the [[Code of Conduct]].* Ontario (Provincial) Ministry of Health** [https=== <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">''Red''</span> Play === Clubs and tournaments should not meet in person when the SCRABBLE safety level is <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</wwwspan> .ontario Clubs may play online using [[Software#SCRABBLE_GO | SCRABBLE GO]] and meeting tools such as Zoom or Discord.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus COVID-19 information pageIf they do so formally, the [[Code of Conduct]]is in effect.* Apple IncNASPA will not rate online tournaments or recognize records achieved at online events.** [https://supportNoteworthy accomplishments at online events may be reported to info@scrabbleplayers.appleorg for publication in the weekly newsletter.com/en-us/HT204172 How to clean your Apple products]

=== If you are sick <span style="background-color:yellow">''Yellow''</span> Play ===

If you have a fever and/or asevere contagious airborne disease (such as COVID-19,influenza, chickenpox Players may meet in person to converse or measles)play electronically on individual devices, do not go to a SCRABBLE club ortournament where you may spread it subject to others.the following restrictions:

If you have * For all participants** No one who has a contagious airborne probable or confirmed case of an infectious respiratory disease may attend.** No one may approach within six feet (2 m) of anyone else at any time.** All participants must wear face coverings that cover their nose and you are sure that itmouth at all times.is not severe** No one may share any equipment, including phones, tablets, consider staying home anyway from SCRABBLE clubs andor word adjudication devices.tournaments** Food may not be served or consumed in public spaces. If you do goBeverages may not be served, make sure that tournament staff andyour opponents are aware of your conditionmay only be consumed from closed-top containers. Wear a face mask, anddisinfect your ** All participants must clean their hands after each time that they come near your face.Use either hourly, by washing where possible, or else using hand sanitizer with at least 60%+ alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or warm soap andwater. If you have to leave the playing area to wash your Participants should where possible clean their hands,do so under in the terms presence of [[Rules|Rule]] IVother participants, to ensure careful attention.L * For directors** Any object that must be touched by more than one person (Leaving the Playing Area Duringsuch as a doorknob) must be disinfected at least hourly.** The director must keep a Game)list of participants, together with their current contact information, and ask them to confirm verbally on arrival that they have not recently been symptomatic or travelled to areas where <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> rules would be in effect.

If you are immunosuppressed, make sure that tournament staffare aware of your condition. Consider avoiding Players may meet for traditional face-to-face competitive SCRABBLE clubsusing regularand tournaments where there are local outbreaks of infectiousdiseases. Follow your doctor&rsquo;s advice playing equipment, subject to protect yourself asappropriate. the following conditions:

If you become aware after * For all participants** No one who has a probable or confirmed case of an event has started infectious respiratory disease may attend.** All participants must wear face coverings that cover their nose and mouth at all times.** Food may not be served in public spaces or consumed in the playing area. Beverages may not be served, and may only be consumed from closed-top containers.** All participants must clean their hands hourly, by washing where possible, or else using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Participants should where possible clean their hands in the presence of other participants, to ensure careful attention.* For directors** Firsts and seconds must be assigned in each game.** Scheduling and layout must be arranged so that your participation is endangering your healthno one needs to approach within six feet (2 m) of anyone else at any time, inform except their assigned opponent for theduration of a game.*** In particular, there must not be any place where participants might gather to see pairings or standings, sign up for prizes, adjudicate words, or receive food and beverage service.** Any object that must be touched by more than one person (such as a doorknob) must be disinfected at least hourly.** The director must keep a list of participants, together with their current contact information, and ask them to confirm verbally on arrival that they have not recently been symptomatic or travelled to areas where <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> or <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> rules would be in effect.** The director must designate a substitute director , with whom they are not domiciled, to replace them should they become ill before or during competition.** Division sizes should be kept as soon small as you canpossible.* Equipment** At least five days before the tournament, players should pack tile sets and tile bags into a clear plastic storage bag, labelled with their name and withdraw from the eventdate it was packed, to ensure that they are virus-free by competition day. According ** All participants must bring their own word adjudication device, board, rack, timer, storage bag containing unused tile sets and tile bags, and a second bag in which to [[Rules|Rule]] Vplace used equipment.K** The owner of the board, rack, and timer must be clearly identified.** At the start of each game, either player may request that a previously unused set of tiles and tile bag belonging to one of the two players be put into service. (Forfeits Any used tiles and tile bags should then be placed into the owner&rsquo;s storage bag, and Byes)not reused until disinfected.** At the start of the event, every board must be set up for play at a separate table.** If neither player has a fixed table assignment at their own board, if you leave mid-then a gameyou will must be awarded played at the second player's table. If one player has a rated loss for fixed table assignment, the game is played at that player's table. If both players have fixed table assignments, the game in progress; anysubsequent games will not affect your ratingis played at the second player's table.

=== If you are healthy <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">''Blue''</span> Play ===

Even if you feel healthy, you Competitive events may be incubating a serious disease,and you can also spread germs from other players. Wash your hands regularlyproceed normally, and don&rsquo;t touch your face unlessyour hands are clean.subject only to the following restrictions:

Engage * No one who has a probable or confirmed case of an infectious respiratory disease may attend.* All participants must affirm to the Director that they have been exclusively in areas where <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">Blue</span> rules are in &ldquo;social distancing&rdquo; by never shaking hands effect for the past 14 days.with fellow * If any participantshave been in <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules areas but none in <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span>, and staying two metres (six feet) away the event may proceed under <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules.from them when not playing* If any participants have been in <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> rules areas, the event must be cancelled.

=== Hand hygiene =SCRABBLE Safety Level FAQ ==

Wash ; How can I tell what the SCRABBLE safety level is for a specific event?: ''If you are not sure how to apply the rules, you may email us at info@scrabbleplayers.org and we will research the matter for you. That is, if you tell us what your hands thoroughly municipal, state and federal recommendations are, we will tell you what SCRABBLE safety level they imply. As of 2020-06-11, both the CDC and the PHAC continue to recommend against mass gatherings, so all areas are in the <span style="background-color:#ffc0c0">Red</span> SCRABBLE safety level.''; What color rules are in effect near borders or at regional tournaments?: ''There may be ambiguity about which color is in effect in a given situation, especially if play is to take place in a location close to a public health jurisdictional boundary, or if players are travelling to an event from multiple areas. In such cases, the most serious, restrictive rules apply. For example, if a tournament director in Yukon wants to take advantage of their territory's SCRABBLE <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> status, they may do so as long as no one travels to their tournament from or through any area where <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> rules would be in effect.''; How do travel bubbles work?: ''A travel bubble is a governmental agreement to allow the same rules to hold within a group of jurisdictions. If all participants are within the same travel bubble, then the most restrictive rules in any jurisdiction within the bubble apply. For example, if there is a travel bubble in Atlantic Canada, New Brunswick is <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">Blue</span> and Nova Scotia is <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span>, then an event in New Brunswick would be held under <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules even if all participants are from New Brunswick.''; What if some businesses are open and some are not, or some require social distancing but others do not?: ''<span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> rules remain in effect until all businesses are open without restrictions.''; Do you have a map showing SCRABBLE safety levels?: ''It is not practical to create such a map, because the safety level summarizes a situation based on a given group of people in a given place at least before a given time. Changes to situations and after guidance may be issues by public health authorities at different times each roundday, and they are not always presented in a way that is easy for nonlocals to understand.''; How fine-grained would a map be that showed SCRABBLE safety levels?This : ''If such a map could be constructed, it would be as fine-grained as needed to incorporate variations in government recommendations. For example, if a city says that residents of one particularly at risk neighborhood should stay home while everyone else is free to remove germs do as they please, then that your hands neighborhood would be <span style="background-color:#ffc0c0">Red</span> while everyone else would be <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">Blue</span> or <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span>.; Why do I have picked up to stand six feet (2 m) away from playingmy domestic partner?equipment: ''Others may not be aware of your relationship, furnituremay feel that distancing requirements have been relaxed and approach you more closely, keyboards, door handles, etcleading to avoidable directorial interventions.''

Thoroughly means wetting your hands, soaping them, reciting all the== Additional Recommendations ==anagrams This section lists several categories of AEINRST at optional recommendationsthat may result in a reasonable pace three times while latheringsafer experience for all surfaces of your hands, rinsing them, turning off the waterwithout touching anything, and drying your hands without recontaminatingthemparticipants.

Do not unnecessarily touch * Wash your hands thoroughly at least before and after each round. This is to remove germs that your hands have picked up from playing equipment, furniture, keyboards, door handles, etc. Even if you feel healthy, you may be incubating a serious disease, and you can also spread germs from other players. Washing hands is the best way to prevent this.** Thoroughly means wetting your hands, soaping them, reciting all the anagrams of AEINRST at a reasonable pace three times while lathering all surfaces of your hands, rinsing them, turning off the water without touching anything that isn't sanitary , and drying your hands without recontaminating them.** If you cannot wash your hands, then you can try disinfecting them with 60%+ alcohol-based hand sanitizer, used according to directions. This is not as effective as washing your hands, but may be more convenient during play. * Do not touch your face. Do not shake If you do, wash your handsagain.* You may wear face coverings that cover your nose and mouth at all times, even and should do so when receiving or awardingwithin six feet (2 m) of another participant.prizes* Do not approach within six feet (2 m)of another participant except as needed in order to play a game. * Do not shake hands. If you do, wash your hands again.

* High-contact surfaces, including boards, clocks, racks, adjudication devices, and doorknobs, should be disinfected hourly.* Bring your own disinfected equipment to events.* When you get home, wash your playing tiles and tile bags, disinfect racks and board with bleach wipes, disinfect clocks and adjudication devices according to manufacturer&rsquo;s instructions.* All players should disinfect their equipment when they return home.** Use a [https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf CDC-approved product] to disinfect equipment, but exercise caution when using any chemical on electronic equipment or glass,especially bleach-based disinfectants and oloephobic oleophobic resin-coated glass. ** See[https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172 Apple's recommendations] for how to safely disinfect their recent equipment. As of 2020-03-13, Apple says that 70% alcohol wipes or Clorox disinfectant wipes are fine on nonporous surfaces, but do check their website for recent updates. Remember that manufacturers speak with authority about what will not damage their equipment; the CDC tells you what will kill germs. * Keyboards and touch screens before and after being used by someone other than their owner.

Keyboards * Firsts and touch screens seconds should be wiped down between usesassigned by the director, not by drawing tiles.* The use of paper for communicating information should be minimized.* There should be a lot of space and ventilation wherever players gather (exits, food service, restrooms, scoreboards)* Each game should be played on a board belonging to one of the players involved.* Division sizes should be kept as small as possible.

After each event: wash playing tiles and tile bags,wipe down racks and board with disinfectant wipes, and disinfect clocks and === Word adjudication devices following manufacturer&rsquo;sinstructions.===

=== Word Participants are discouraged from using a common word adjudication ===device,to mitigate the risk of indirect contact transmission.This may be done either by having players use their own devices, orby having the director adjudicate challenges from a safe distance,while showing players the screen at appropriate points in the process.

Players Adjudicators are encouraged to use licensed software (or the [{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/wj.pl NASPA Word Judge] online) on their own

== Additional references Timeline == ; 2020-03-09: This page was created.; 2020-03-10: Initial version of best practices for competitive play during a pandemic published.; 2020-03-14: Players warned that many clubs and tournaments are being cancelled.; 2020-03-15: Regular advance notice requirement for postponed tournaments that do not conflict with others.; 2020-03-16: All clubs and tournaments required to close where directed to do so by public health and other government authorities.; 2020-03-18: All clubs and tournaments are required to close, and remain closed until the appropriate public health authorities have recommended doing so.; 2020-03-19: Announced that a decision would be made about NASC 2020 no later than May 31.; 2020-06-11: Substantial revisions in preparation for reopening. == References ==