The State of Indiana has released a five stage plan for the reopening of businesses called Back-On-Track Indiana. Complete details can be found here. USA Fencing has also released requirements for Fencing Clubs to reopen. USAF will sanction clubs starting immediately as long as they meet local requirements (tournaments are not included).
The IFC Board of Directors met Sunday to discuss the timing and process for reopening the club.
Below is a road map showing how we plan to reopen the club based upon the State of Indiana plan and timeline. Please note that the dates listed are tentative and the actual dates will be based upon the results achieved. It is also possible that the State may have to move back to an earlier stage if things start to regress. In other words, the dates shown below are tentative and may slip.
Stage 1: Ended on May 4
Stage 2: May 4 through May 23
- Gyms and Fitness Centers are closed
- All IFC programs are on-line via Zoom, including:
- Condition Session
- Competitive Epee
- Rapier and Dagger
- Footwork/Intermediate Epee
- Longsword
Stage 3: May 24 through June 13
- Gyms and Fitness Centers may open with restrictions:
- Screen employees daily, must wear face coverings
- Class sizes and equipment must be spaced to accommodate social distancing (6 feet)
- Equipment must be cleaned after each use
- Limit class sizes
- IFC Stage 3 Reopening Plan:
- We plan to reopen on Monday May 25, assuming that Stage 3 has begun.
- Everyone entering the club will be screened for fever (utilizing a no-touch thermometer), and will be required to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire. Anyone with a fever or recent contact with a COVID-19 patient will not be admitted.
- All coaches will wear face coverings.
- Everyone entering the club will wear face coverings.
- We will limit the number of club members to 12, the number of parents/spectators to 3, and the number of coaches to 2 at a time. All must maintain 6 foot social distancing.
- There will be no actual fencing since the 6 foot distance cannot be maintained.
- All members must provide their own equipment – club uniforms and weapons will not be provided. (If you do not currently have a full uniform or weapons, please email indyfencing@gmail.com to arrange for a long-term loan.)
- HEMA members that do not have their own weapons may borrow a club weapon on a long term basis.
- All frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned after each session.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided (but bring your own if you have it) and frequent hand washing is recommended.
- The following programs will be offered at their regular times:
- Condition Session (expanded from 30 minutes to 1 hour)
- Competitive Epee (starting June 9, until then it will continue to be via Zoom)
- Rapier and Dagger
- Footwork/Intermediate Epee (starting June 9, until then it will continue to be via Zoom)
- Longsword
- All program activities will be limited to those that do not require participants to be within 6 feet of each other. This will include activities such as conditioning, footwork, bladework drills.
- We will continue to offer the Zoom version for those that do not choose to attend in person.
- There will be no private lessons.
Stage 4: June 14 through July 3
- Gyms and Fitness Centers may open with restrictions
- Same as Stage 3
- IFC Stage 3 Reopening Plan:
- Same as Stage 3
Stage 5: July 4 forward
- Gyms and Fitness Centers:
- Open, no restrictions
- IFC Stage 5 Reopening Plan:
- The IFC Board of Directors will assess the situation at that time and determine what processes we will follow that best protect our members and their families.
- At this point in the process we may be able to start fence, to hold tournaments, and to offer private lessons.
Please share any of your concerns, suggestions, or questions regarding this reopening plan. Send them to indyfencing@gmail.com, or call Bill Winget at 317-966-7361.