Updated Covid Policy: May 28 2021
Dear SSA members,
With the local easing of pandemic restrictions and the increase in vaccinations statewide, things are looking brighter for a return to normal activities at SSA. In response to these changing conditions, the Board has once again updated the club’s Covid-19 policies.
The biggest change, and one that many of you have been asking for, is that the bathrooms and showers will be fully available for use. We are, however, still requiring masks indoors in the clubhouse. Private events such as clubhouse rentals or regatta dinners will be exempt from this requirement, but for any other activity in the clubhouse, we ask that you continue to wear a mask while indoors. Handwashing stations will still be available outside the clubhouse. [The Junior Program is considered a summer camp by the state, so the coaches and participants in those programs will continue to be bound by the state’s camp rules.] The updated rules can be found at the bottom of this email.
The easing of pandemic restrictions also has implications for our volunteer service day policy. SSA has gone back to a full racing schedule, with club events scheduled almost every weekend, and three major championship regattas on the schedule for this year. Unfortunately, our race committee volunteer staffing has not kept up with our sailors’ participation in racing. The race committees have been getting by so far, but there have been several instances when committees were shorthanded right up until the last minute. Fortunately, the weather conditions have been mostly benign so far, but some of the short-staffed race committees would have had trouble managing safety across the course in more severe wind conditions.
So far, only 79 members out of 300+ (or approximately 26%) have volunteered for race committee. Given our full racing schedule this year, this level of race committee participation is not sustainable. Therefore, the Board has decided to reinstitute mandatory service days for the remainder of 2021. Those who have already volunteered at the club will, of course, receive credit for the days they have already served. Those who have yet to serve can sign up on the website. Those who need to buy out their service days can do so as usual, but I encourage anyone who can serve to do so out of fairness to your fellow club members.
I want to close by thanking all of you for the sacrifices you have made over the past year to keep each other safe at the club. The increased cleaning, mask wearing, social distancing and restrictions on the use of the facilities were a burden, but we now get to reap the reward for all of our efforts.
Best regards,
Eric Johnson, Commodore
SSA COVID-19 Rules
Following CDC, State of Maryland, and Anne Arundel County guidelines, SSA has implemented the following policies. These policies may need to change depending on the state of the Covid-19 pandemic locally and nationally, as well as revised guidance from local government and health authorities.
Members must ensure that their children and guests follow this guidance. Junior program participants are subject to the Maryland summer camp rules, which may supersede these policies.
Members assume responsibility and liability for their own health, will take all necessary precautions, including getting vaccinated, and visit SSA at their own risk. Please do not come to the club if you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19.
OUTDOORS
1. Take advantage of the outdoor handwashing stations.
2. When parking, please understand that if you block someone in, you may have your car moved by someone you don’t know. If this is a concern for you, please consider parking on the street as there will probably be space available.
3. The workshop will not be available except for official SSA business, so please bring your tools with you (as 99% of you do already).
INDOORS
1. Wear a face covering at all times while inside the clubhouse, except when showering.
2. The water bottle filler is available but please do not use the water fountain function.
3. Dining is limited to outdoors (any requests for indoor events need to be submitted to the Office Manager for approval)