Going back to the rink on Tuesday! But the COVID-19 safety protocols look tricky to follow because I don't have a car... If anyone who gets to their rink by public transport has had experience with the following restrictions, I'd appreciate your advice
1. Must change skates outside the building
There aren't any benches outside my rink to sit on, and I'm too old/poor to own a Zuca. Do I bring a footstool? Or kneel on the gravel in the carpark (I never manage to tie my skates properly kneeling though)? It's risky enough that I will still have to take public transport, but changing into skates on the bus is probably a worse option in terms of contaminating belongings...
2. Only a small bag permitting a water bottle, box of tissues, snack etc. can be brought into the building
This is a bit ambiguous since they didn't specify the size of the bag, so I may be able to get away with my over-shoulder skate bag... but then the footstool question comes in, because I definitely wouldn't be able to fit one in my skate bag too (even a foldable one). Perhaps I could perch it on my lap in the bus, but I'm not sure if I can bring it into the arena.
3. Skaters must wear masks in the arena but can take them off while skating
What do you do with the mask when it's not on your face? Being a potentially contaminated item, it shouldn't really be left dangling over the boards (for example). Based on my workplace's guidelines, I'm thinking of bringing a Tupperware container to stick it in (keeping the mask exterior facing consistently downwards). I'm interested in any other suggestions though.
On a side note (as it doesn't apply to me), I doubt parents will be allowed into the building, so I wonder how the younger skaters will cope - perhaps they'll skip this stage of reopening entirely?
Anyway, I'm emailing our club administrators to see what they have to say about this and will update if they say anything useful!
1. Must change skates outside the building
There aren't any benches outside my rink to sit on, and I'm too old/poor to own a Zuca. Do I bring a footstool? Or kneel on the gravel in the carpark (I never manage to tie my skates properly kneeling though)? It's risky enough that I will still have to take public transport, but changing into skates on the bus is probably a worse option in terms of contaminating belongings...
2. Only a small bag permitting a water bottle, box of tissues, snack etc. can be brought into the building
This is a bit ambiguous since they didn't specify the size of the bag, so I may be able to get away with my over-shoulder skate bag... but then the footstool question comes in, because I definitely wouldn't be able to fit one in my skate bag too (even a foldable one). Perhaps I could perch it on my lap in the bus, but I'm not sure if I can bring it into the arena.
3. Skaters must wear masks in the arena but can take them off while skating
What do you do with the mask when it's not on your face? Being a potentially contaminated item, it shouldn't really be left dangling over the boards (for example). Based on my workplace's guidelines, I'm thinking of bringing a Tupperware container to stick it in (keeping the mask exterior facing consistently downwards). I'm interested in any other suggestions though.
On a side note (as it doesn't apply to me), I doubt parents will be allowed into the building, so I wonder how the younger skaters will cope - perhaps they'll skip this stage of reopening entirely?
Anyway, I'm emailing our club administrators to see what they have to say about this and will update if they say anything useful!