COVID-19: What you need to know

May 1, 2022

TCOTC is currently allowing one additional person to attend Puppy Socialization and Tweener classes. The Zoom broadcasts of these classes will end on May 12.  An additional handler has been allowed in most other classes since mid-February.

The TCOTC Board of Directors has voted to lift the mask requirement for the facility, in line with the CDC’s new guidelines for masking, announced Friday, February 25, 2022. The new guidelines state that healthy people do not need to mask in indoor settings in areas where COVID levels are low to medium. There may be classes or circumstances in which masks will continue to be required, and we will do our best to inform anyone affected in advance in those instances.

If COVID levels rise to “high” in our area, masks will once again be required for everyone inside the building.

Of course, we will respect the decision of any member, guest, staff person or volunteer to continue to wear a face covering. We won’t tolerate discrimination or harassment against anyone based on their personal choices. However, we expect everyone who enters TCOTC to consider the safety and well being of others. We urge everyone to get vaccinated if you are able and, if not, please wear a mask. If you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home.

2/27/2022 COVID UPDATE

The TCOTC Board of Directors has voted to lift the mask requirement for the facility, in line with the CDC’s new guidelines for masking, announced Friday, February 25, 2022. The new guidelines state that healthy people do not need to mask in indoor settings in areas where COVID levels are low to medium. There may be classes or circumstances in which masks will continue to be required, and we will do our best to inform anyone affected in advance in those instances.

If COVID levels rise to “high” in our area, masks will once again be required for everyone inside the building.

Social distancing is still recommended by the CDC and will continue at TCOTC. Therefore, we will continue to allow only one handler per dog in Puppy Socialization, Tweener, Foundation Agility and some other classes. We will continue to broadcast Puppy/Tweener classes over Zoom so those at home can follow along.

Of course, we will respect the decision of any member, guest, staff person or volunteer to continue to wear a face covering. We won’t tolerate discrimination or harassment against anyone based on their personal choices. However, we expect everyone who enters TCOTC to consider the safety and well being of others. We urge everyone to get vaccinated if you are able and, if not, please wear a mask. If you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home.

2/14/2022 COVID UPDATE

TCOTC is now allowing one additional handler per dog in some classes, including most obedience classes and Changing Attitudes. Only one handler is allowed for Puppy Socialization and Tweener classes at this time, as well as for Agility Foundations classes. If you have any questions about whether your class allows an additional handler, please contact us at office@tcotc.com. TCOTC requires that all visitors wear face coverings that cover the mouth and nose at all times, except when actively eating or drinking. And, as always, please stay home if you are not feeling well or if you have had a recent exposure to COVID. Please consult the CDC guidelines for isolation/quarantine.

11/17/2021 COVID UPDATE

With the delta variant still surging in Minnesota, TCOTC is keeping its mask mandate in place for the time being. Face coverings that cover the mouth and nose must be worn at all times, except when actively eating or drinking. We also ask that only one handler per dog attend class. And, as always, please stay home if you are not feeling well. Our board is actively monitoring the situation and will lift these requirements as soon as it is safe to do so. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work hard to keep our members, friends and staff healthy and well.

8/11/21: COVID UPDATE

TCOTC is reinstating its one-handler-per-dog policy as well as requiring masks for everyone in the facility at all times. This is in response to the surge in the delta variant of the coronavirus in the Twin Cities area. Youth handlers and those who need additional assistance in order to train are exempted from this policy. We know it’s not ideal for families who wish to train together, but we ask for your patience and cooperation.

6/30/21: COVID UPDATE

TCOTC lifted its mask mandate on June 6 for fully vaccinated individuals, though some individuals may continue to wear masks. Those not fully vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings. Also, social distancing and capacity limits have been lifted. We ask, however, that you limit additional handlers to one additional person at this time. For those wishing to bring a minor from your household, please review our policy on children at TCOTC in advance.

PREVIOUS UPDATES

6/6/21: BOARD LIFTS MASK REQUIREMENT

At a meeting late Friday, the TCOTC Board of Directors voted to allow fully vaccinated individuals to enter the facility without wearing masks if they choose to do so. Those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to others who are unvaccinated or otherwise at increased risk for contracting the virus. There may be circumstances in which masks will continue to be required, and we will do our best to inform anyone affected in advance in those instances.

The decision follows the lifting of mask mandates in Minneapolis and St. Paul last week and is aligned with the CDC’s latest guidance, which the club has followed throughout the pandemic. The CDC reports that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is minimal for fully vaccinated people, and that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from fully vaccinated people to unvaccinated people is also reduced. You can read more about the CDC’s current recommendations here.

Honor system: Members and guests will not be asked to provide proof of their vaccine status. We trust that those who choose not to wear a mask are fully vaccinated. We will also respect the decision of any member, guest, staff person or volunteer to continue to wear a face covering. We won’t tolerate discrimination or harassment against anyone based on their personal choices. However, we expect everyone who enters TCOTC to consider the safety and well being of others. This means: Get vaccinated if you are able; if not, wear a mask and practice social distancing.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Anne Schenk, TCOTC’s executive director, at anneschenk@tcotc.com.

4/23/2021 – UPDATE FOR MEMBERS PLANNING TO TRAVEL:

UPDATE ON OUR COVID MITIGATION: In our efforts to make TCOTC a safe place for you and your dog, we are excited to announce that we are placing a number of commercial HEPA air scrubbers throughout our facility. HEPA filtration has been shown to successfully remove airborne particles, including viruses, from indoor air. Along with mask-wearing, minimizing the number of people in the building and limiting the amount of time people spend in the building, HEPA filtration is another way we minimizing the risk of COVID spread during our classes and events.

Before you come to the club:

• Do not come to the club if you have been exposed or potentially exposed to COVID-19 until you have completed the CDC-recommended isolation period (2 weeks) and/or you have received a negative test result. Ideally, a health care professional should advise you when it is safe to be around others.
• Self-screen for any symptoms of COVID-19 (source: CDC):
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
• If you exhibit any of these symptoms, do not come to TCOTC.
• If you have been to the club and tested positive for COVID-19 or have reason to believe that you might carry the virus, please inform Anne Schenk, our executive director, by email at hr@tcotc.com so that we may notify anyone who was potentially exposed. Your identity will remain confidential.
• If you have a household membership, please send only one handler at a time with your dog to keep the number of people in the facility at a minimum. No guests or observers, please.

When you arrive at TCOTC:

• Wear an appropriate face covering (cloth mask, scarf, bandana, face shield). This is required. Anyone without a face covering will be asked to leave.
• Arrive just before your class and leave immediately afterward. Avoid lingering inside the facility.
• Go straight to your designated ring or training space when you arrive. Students’ places will be marked to allow for social distancing.
• Practice social distancing at all times, maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash/sanitize your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Look for the hand sanitizer stations throughout the club. Sanitize your hands before and after handling clean-up mops and bucket lids, trash can lids or other items.
• Bring your own treats and training items (clicker, toys, dumbbells, mat, etc.). We will not loan items.
• If you need treats or supplies from our store, consider purchasing them ahead of time for pick-up when you arrive.
• Again, only one handler per dog, please. We need to limit the number of people in the building.

Thank you for helping us keep you and all our members and staff healthy and safe! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Anne Schenk at hr@tcotc.com.

Download TCOTC’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan