MNDTC - Covid-19 Safety Guidelines

MNDTC Covid-19 Safety Plan - Summer 2022
for use of Ag Progress Days site for holding classes.

Everyone MUST read this Safety Plan before continuing to the Classes Page.

MNDTC will follow current state, local and facility guidelines that apply to the area and site where the class or event is held. The latest guidelines can be found at the links below:

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

https://virusinfo.psu.edu/

https://www.centrecountypa.gov/2157/COVID-19-Updates-from-Centre-County-Gove

All MNDTC class participants and instructors must:

Practice social distancing of 6 feet apart at all times. Avoid congregating to the extent possible.
Wear masks at all times.
Exhibitors and committee should consider wearing disposable or washable gloves to handle equipment for classes or events.
Encourage handwashing and sanitizing. Have plenty of hand sanitizer placed for people to use and soap in restrooms where applicable.
Leave doors to the buildings open if possible.
Portable toilets are rented, on-site and will be in use during classes.
Avoid shaking hands or hugging.
Avoid touching dogs and leashes that are not your responsibility.
Avoid common use pens/pencils – bring your own.
Handlers should bring their own crates; crating should be at least six feet apart, except for “family” groups of exhibitors and dogs.
Disinfect surfaces in common use areas as often as possible (tables, chairs, doorknobs, etc.)
Clubs and facilities may consider not providing chairs.
Disinfect equipment after use.
Parking areas – Park with sufficient distance between vehicles if possible.
Penn State Ag Progress Days site including buildings and grounds are not for use other than for scheduled class on specific day and time.

Further guidelines for specific class types:

Agility:

Wear gloves when resetting jump bars.
Wear gloves when moving equipment.
Disinfect equipment after each class.

Obedience:

Use cones, rather than people, for the figure 8 exercise.
For the stand for exam exercise, examiner should use hand sanitizer between examining each dog.
Handlers should bring their own dumbbells, gloves and articles if possible.
If articles are shared between dogs, handlers should wear gloves.
Any equipment picked up by dogs should be handwashed with dish detergent that is safe for use with animals.

Rally:

Wear gloves to handle signs and cones.
Disinfect equipment after class.

Tracking:

Instructors and handlers should maintain social distancing and may wear masks. Instructors and tracklayers should use their own equipment. One person should be designated to handle the tracking flags for each track. If the flags will be handled by two different people for each track, one on the day of plotting and another on the day of laying the track, the flags should be wiped down after being staked.
All tracklayers are advised to wear gloves while handling the articles that will be dropped on each of the track(s). A new pair of gloves should be used for each set of articles.
Researchers have stated the virus can live on plastic and metal for as long as 7 days, and various cloth materials for as long as 2-3 days. Clubs are advised to provide unused and sealed articles for each track.

Scentwork:

Container searches – In order to reduce the number of people in the search area, designate someone to handle boxes and wear gloves.
Handlers should keep their dog’s leash during off leash searches.
Scented articles of the handler should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and handled with gloves.

I have read the above information. Please click HERE to continue to the Classes page.