AFI bars athletes from handshakes, hugging and spitting when outdoor training starts

No handshakes or hugging, no spitting and no visits to salons throughout lockdown are among the many strict tips issued by Athletics Federation of India to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, following authorities’s determination to renew sporting exercise with out spectators.

After the Sports Ministry gave its go forward to the resumption of coaching in its complexes and stadiums, the AFI on Tuesday issued its personal Standard Operating Procedures for coaching of the campers.The athletes on the NIS-Patiala and Sports Authority of India Centre in Bengaluru are, nonetheless, but to renew out of doors coaching.

Through the doc, the AFI directed the athletes to coach underneath strict social distancing tips and likewise observe extra norms issued by the federal government “religiously”.

According to the SOPs, the athletes are prohibited from coaching if they’ve flu-like signs equivalent to sneezing, coughing, issue in respiration, fatigue, or if they’ve been in shut contact with somebody who confirmed such signs.

“Do not shake hands or hug other athletes, coaching staff members, do not sneeze or cough without covering your mouth or nose. Do not spit,” mentioned the doc made official on Tuesday.

In case of any such signs, the athlete involved ought to report instantly to the chief/deputy chief coach or the High Performance Director.”Maintain social distance always. Visit to barber retailers/saloons/magnificence parlours/buying malls is strictly prohibited. Do not eat exterior or order meals parcels,” learn one other set of directions.

The campers have been informed to not train/practice/stroll in teams and they need to preserve a protected distance of at the least 2 metres from others throughout coaching in addition to in different occasions additionally. They have been requested to hold their very own water bottle, power drinks in addition to hand sanitisers and towels.

The athletes are required to go away their rooms precisely 5 minutes earlier than their scheduled coaching. They must “rush back” to their respective hostel rooms instantly after coaching and they need to not “hang around”.

They have been requested to “always wear full sleeves T-shirts, tights, shirts whenever stepping out of the room”. Sauna/ice bathtub services is not going to be obtainable throughout this “restricted training” section.”Make certain your belongings aren’t touched by others. Similarly, don’t contact something that doesn’t belong to you. Take bathe instantly after you attain your room. Do not put on similar garments after bathe.”Regarding the protected use of equipments, the doc mentioned: “Sanitize all handled implements prior to use and after, for example shots, javelins and discus. Clean equipment with a disinfectant spray at the conclusion of training.

“Use of disposable gloves by athletes is highly recommended. For relay athletes practising baton exchange, use of hand gloves is mandatory.”The coaches have been made liable for the strict adherence to those directions by the athletes who will practice underneath them always. They have been tasked to make sure that the athletes preserve social distancing always.

The athletes is not going to be allowed to go away the camps besides in instances which might solely be sanctioned by AFI President. Those leaving the camp/visiting their properties/or every other place exterior the campus should undergo a 14-day quarantine earlier than rejoining the camp.

All the athletes have additionally been requested to obtain authorities of India’s Aarogya Setu App for monitoring COVID-19 contaminated individuals close to them in addition to assessing their very own well being every so often.