Presents Surf City El Salvador - Cover photo: Carlos Muñoz in La Bocana by ALAS/Demarsan 

In addition to reconfirming that the World Championships in El Salvador will take place between May 29 and June 6, the ISA released yesterday the health and biosecurity plan for the mega event. Two of the main new features are: The obligation to remain isolated for 24 hours after arriving in El Salvador, where a PCR test will be immediately carried out, and the use of a smart bracelet that is presumed to serve to monitor that the athlete does not leave his or her assigned cluster.

At the ALAS event held in December last year, only a negative PCR test valid for 72 hours was required. Now, according to the document (see below), everyone will be swabbed upon arrival and people must remain isolated while waiting for the result. This applies to those arriving in the country from the 24th onwards; those arriving earlier will be swabbed between the 24th and 25th.

Anyone who tests positive will not be able to participate in the event.

Furthermore, all athletes and team members will be required to wear a smart bracelet during their stay in the country. No specifics are given, but it is noted that its use is mandatory as is respecting the cluster of each athlete. This is in Annex 6, the commitment letter that the athletes must sign.

The smart bracelet is believed to have a GPS system that will monitor compliance with the rules.

The document does not detail the sanctions for not respecting the use of the bracelet.
Another commitment assumed by signing the letter is that they must report any symptoms related to Covid. By stating this, a protocol will be activated, isolating the surfer for 12 hours until receiving the result. If the result is positive, the athlete will remain isolated and will not be able to compete any more, and if the result is negative, they will return to the competition.

Each delegation will be assigned one or two aides who will be in charge of carrying out a “Covid symptom check.”

There is a lot of emphasis on the already known biosecurity measures: the prudent social distance of two meters, the use of alcohol gel, the permanent taking of body temperature and the use of face masks.

A mandatory PCR test will be done on the 7th.

There is no mention of whether any athletes or staff have been vaccinated, nor whether substitute athletes can be brought in for positive cases prior to the tournament.

The full document can be read below:

Health and biosecurity plan for the mega event by DUKE He Scribd