Word Cup COVID-19 Policies

OVERVIEW

COVID-19 cases in the United States are on the rise. As a community of Scrabblers, it is important for us to work together to reduce spread and protect each other during this event, especially those who are immunocompromised. As of July 5th, both Cook County (Chicago) and DuPage County (Naperville/Lisle) were at levels of high COVID transmission. Please take extra care to minimize COVID exposure when not at the tournament venue. Prudent actions include wearing masks when indoors, social distancing when possible, and avoiding crowded indoor events. We strongly encourage players to wear a well-fitting mask during their travels.

VACCINATIONS

Per WGPO and CoCo policy, all players at Word Cup must be fully vaccinated and have received all COVID-19 booster shots for which they are eligible as of June 1. If you become eligible for an additional booster shot after June 1, we encourage you to get your second booster shot, but are not requiring it. If you have questions, contact us at info at cocoscrabble dot org.

For players from the United States and Canada:

  • All players must have received all recommended doses in their primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to June 23. 

  • For U.S. players under 50 as of June 1 (under 80 in Canada), a single booster is required if their primary series was completed prior to Dec. 1, 2021.

  • For U.S. players over 50 as of June 1 (over 80 in Canada), two booster doses are required if their first booster was before Feb. 1, 2022. Otherwise, a single booster is required if their primary series was completed prior to Dec. 1, 2021.

For players from outside North America:

  • You must receive all COVID primary series and booster shots recommended by your respective national health authority for which you are eligible as of June 1.

  • You must present your vaccination card or record (preferably in English) at check-in. 

MASKS

Everyone attending Word Cup must wear a well-fitting mask that covers their mouth, nose, and chin at all times while in the playing rooms and adjacent tournament spaces. Properly wearing your mask over your mouth, nose, and chin during the event is important for it to be effective. If your mask is not properly worn, you will be reminded to adjust it. Refusal to wear an acceptable mask properly may subject you to penalty, including potential removal from the tournament 

  • Acceptable masks include surgical masks, KN95, KF94, or N95 masks without vents, or equivalent. We recommend that you choose the most effective acceptable mask that you are comfortable wearing. While we expect many people will bring their own preferred masks, we will have both surgical and KN95 masks available for players to wear.

  • Unacceptable masks include cloth masks, gaiters, bandanas, and face shields. (These items may be combined with an acceptable mask listed above, if desired.)


EATING AND DRINKING

With limited exceptions, players should avoid eating and drinking in the playing room and other tournament spaces so that they can minimize the risks of COVID spread. We recognize that some players may need to eat and drink while participating in the tournament, to manage health needs. For this reason, we will allow players to remove their masks for long enough to take a bite of food or sip of a beverage - but you must put your mask back on between bites or sips. No one should talk without a mask on.

We will not be policing people’s health requirements with respect to this policy. However, we ask all members to be considerate of others and refrain from eating or drinking in public indoor spaces if you can do so comfortably.

HEALTH MONITORING AND COVID TESTING

Everyone is responsible for monitoring their own health before and during the tournament. In particular, everyone is required to confirm that they are not currently experiencing symptoms of COVID. If you become ill with COVID-like symptoms during the event, please let a director know as soon as possible. The CDC recommends that you self-isolate until symptoms resolve, get tested for COVID, and seek further medical attention if necessary.

Testing is an effective way to diagnose an active COVID infection. We strongly recommend that all players self-administer a COVID test in the 24 hours prior to beginning their travel to Word Cup, and on Monday morning before games begin.

In the United States, every household can request a third round of 8 rapid antigen COVID tests be delivered to their home for free. You can order free tests at covid.gov/tests.