Things are looking up! That being said, the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t quite over yet; we all still need to be careful to not spread this virus around. We, and Top Tier Fitness, will be following all CDC recommendations until the Executive Orders regarding COVID-19 are rescinded.

We are planning on reopening on May 10, 2021! To this end, the Maryland KdF Leadership is enacting a couple of rule and policy changes for the foreseeable future:

Vaccination is REQUIRED. We are going to be requiring proof of vaccinations. You can accomplish this two ways. The easiest is on the TidyHQ website. Under “My Profile,” if you scroll to the bottom, you will see an option to upload proof of vaccination. IMPORTANT: You may black out any info on the card you want, so long as your name and dates of your vaccinations are clear. This is so we can verify the time requirement for full vaccination has passed (not just that you got them). If, for some reason, you do not wish to upload the photo, you must have your card or a clear picture of your card on you at all times while in attendance. We will be checking them at the door before entry if they are not on file. Again, there are no exceptions to this. Even if you have shown before, this is for club liability and to make sure everyone is comfortable.

CLASS SIGNUPS: At least to start, we’ll be doing the same class signups, as before, on TidyHQ. The floor time will be open to only 30 members a night. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR A SPOT. You can sign up via the TidyHQ webpage under the EVENTS tab. Those who show up without signing up for a class take a real chance of being turned away if there isn’t room. This will also include signing the Top Tier waiver and making sure you’ve signed the MDKF waiver. The Top Tier waiver is usually posted to the Facebook page an hour or two before class.

Weapons:
• Longer weapons only – saber, longsword, rapier, etc.
• Limits while sparring/training:
o No corps-a-corps (body to body) fighting of any kind
o Hugs, handshakes, or other close (but brief) contact will be allowed as long as consent is obtained first. Please be respectful of people’s personal limits. Elbow and fist bumps may be substituted at the person’s comfort at the end of a fight
o No wrestling, dagger, running-in, dussack, S&B, bayonet, etc.

Masks:
• When sparring, we ask that you consider wearing a face mask underneath your fencing mask.
• Otherwise, face masks are required at all times. This includes all drills and classes (fencing mask on or not).

Class Gear:
• All gear is required to be returned to a pile on the floor. No one is to pick a piece of gear out of the used gear pile.
o Before being thrown into the pile, the gear must be thoroughly disinfected.
o This includes all weapons.

Personal Gear:
• Do not mix gear. This includes allowing people to share your gear for class or fighting.
• Ensure that personal bags remain apart from each other. This is prevent gathering around a group of bags.

Classes:
• Will be restricted to a total of 30 people, by our choice and recommendations by the CDC.
• What this may mean is that the beginner’s class is only allowed to come one night and the older folks allowed another, depending on volume.

Consequences:
• Warnings and reminders will given. Continued disregard for safety procedures may cause restriction to classes or activities until later safety phases.
• It is understandable to goof up a couple times – these are new, weird rules that are temporary to keep us safe. However, if you’re deemed to be negligent, you will be banned from the club for a week.

Thank you all for your understanding! As before, if you feel sick in any way, do not come to class. If you are experiencing cold and/or flu-like symptoms, please see a doctor and consider getting tested for COVID-19.

We’re not out of the woods yet, but the end is nigh. We’ve all missed you guys very much and it will be a pleasure to see your (masked) faces!

Sincerely,
The Maryland KdF Leadership

Jess Rozek
Ben Jarashow
Travis Mayott
Stuart Lacy
Mike Gilding
Brian Brunsman
Nick Schneider
Jordan Moreno
Lisa Losito
Kenny Phan