DOSB Publishes 10 Principles to be Active While Minimising Pandemic-Related Risks

On 28 April, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has published a list of ten key principles to play sport and be physically active during the COVID-19 crisis while minimising risks.

With the DOSB's approval, we have translated these principles in English:

The Ten DOSB Principles

Comply with social-distancing rules

A distance of at least two (2) metres (6 feet) between people contributes to noticeably reduce the probability of a transfer of viruses. Due to movement when persons engage in a sport, this distance has to be measured generously. Access to sports facilities should be controlled to avoid long queues.

Avoid physical contact 

Sports and exercise should be engaged in without any physical contact. Handshakes, giving others a high five, embraces, and cheering or mourning in groups must be refrained from. Duels, e.g. in team sports, should be avoided. Only individual training is permissible for dual sports.  

Start with outdoor activities 

Sports and exercise outdoors movement out in public spaces or at public and private open-air sports facilities make compliance with distancing rules easier and reduce the risk of infection through the permanent exchange of fresh air. Forms of games and training, including traditional indoor sports disciplines, should be conducted outdoors for the time being. 

Comply with hygiene rules 

More frequent hand-washing, regular disinfection of much frequented areas and surfaces, and the use of gloves can reduce the risk of infection. In particular, hygiene and disinfection measures should be consistently and carefully complied with for shared sports equipment. In some types of sports, the use of mouth-and-nose protective masks may make sense.   

Club facilities and locker rooms remain closed 

The use of changing rooms and showers in sports facilities and sports clubs will remain closed for the time being. Catering areas will remain closed, as will meeting rooms and communal lounges.

Temporarily suspend carpooling

During the transitional phase, carpools for travel to training sessions and to competitions are to be waived. It is also unsuitable to use minivans. Moreover touristic sports trips are to be waived.

Prohibit events and competitions 

To comply with social-distancing rules, no social club events should be held at this time.  This also applies to festivities and to meetings. The German Federal Government has recently permitted clubs to hold their general meetings digitally, if necessary. Moreover, all spectator events at clubs are prohibited. Sports competitions are also not permitted for the time being.  

Reduce the size of training groups 

Compliance with the distancing rules is made easier by forming smaller groups for training purposes (up to five (5) persons). A group will optimally always comprise the same five (5) persons so that in the event of a risk of contagion, only one smaller group is affected or would have to be subjected to quarantine measures. 

Provide special protection for members of risk groups 

Participation in sports is also very important for members of risk groups. That is why it is especially important to minimise the risk for this group of persons to the extent possible. Individual training may be an option.   

Minimise risks in all areas 

This point is an appeal to sanity and reason in particular. If you have an uneasy feeling about a measure and are not sure about the possible risks, then this measure should be waived and a risk-free activity should be sought instead.

Translated from https://cdn.dosb.de/user_upload/www.dosb.de/LandingPage/Startseite/Leitplanken/Zehn_DOSB-Leitplanken.pdf (German)