How Martial Arts Dojos Can Stay Safe During COVID-19

Whether you’re training in karate, Brazilian Jujitsu, judo, or other contact-heavy martial arts, with the coronavirus (or COVID-19) raging worldwide, it's important and reassuring to know your martial arts instructors and dojos are finding ways to keep you safe from infection.

Here are some guidelines we've gleaned from Sport Singapore advisories and other resources with best practices online, that you can adopt as a practitioner or martial arts instructor.

What are the rules about safe distancing for martial arts classes during this COVID-19 pandemic?

Sport Singapore’s Phase 2 updates say:

• A 2m distance should be maintained between individuals as default, and observed wherever possible when one is exercising, because of the higher risk of spread of respiratory droplets.
• For indoor high-intensity or high-movement exercises, individuals must maintain a physical distance of 3m from one another.
• Group activities and exercise must be kept to no more than 5 participants. An additional coach/instructor is not counted as part of the group size of 5.
• Participants in groups should also stay at least 3m apart from other groups sharing the same space and wear their masks when not engaged in strenuous activities.
• Sports that require extensive and prolonged body contact should be modified to reduce the risk of infection.

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Those caught flouting the rules don't only face hefty penalties (fines). If they were using public or shared facilities, their actions can cause those facilities to be shut down indefinitely, depriving others of the chance to use them. 

Full-contact sparring as we know it may be quite different during these COVID times. Dojos need to find safer ways to practise, or risk becoming a new COVID-19 cluster in the community.

What risks are there in martial arts classes?
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• Kiai: If your classes involve plenty of Kiai (or shouting), you may need to consider letting students practise more quietly. As COVID-19 is transmitted by bodily fluids like saliva, shouting and talking loudly can result in spittle flying as far as 1.8 away. (However, this is not to say participants should hold their breaths when training; breathing well is still important.)
• Contact: Close contact practice such as grappling and throws should be minimised. Instructors should review their training plans to emphasise more individualised sessions that reduce the need for close contact with other students.
• Group Training: If group training, or practising with partners, is unavoidable, then make sure there is no rotation of training or sparring partners. This will help to minimise the risk of infections within the class and beyond.
• Shared equipment: Personal protective equipment like gloves, shinguards, and headgear should not be shared among students. Students should take their own equipment to classes. Training mitts should also not be rotated among the groups in class.

Markers on the floor help participants know where they should stand while training.

How can dojos enforce safe distancing between participants?

• Use markers like tape or cones to ensure participants stay at least 2m away from each other.
• In an indoor setting, the rule of thumb is to stay 3m apart.
• Keep a close watch on the number of people in the training area at any one time. Do not allow spectators. The more people there are in the training area, the harder it is to enforce safe distancing.
• If there are children in your classes, do not allow parents to wait in the area. Parents should be asked to pick up their children elsewhere, to avoid creating a gathering of people at the dojo exit area when class is ending.

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How to keep groups apart from each other?

• Use easily identifiable markers, like colour bands or ‘zones’ formed by coloured cones, to make sure groups of participants stay in their ‘zones’ or ‘groups’.
• Do not allow participants to switch partners during class.
• Make time for the preceding class to pack up and leave, before letting in the next class’ participants.
• If possible, designate separate entry and exit areas for participants.

Dojos should have a supply of hand sanitisers and disinfectants for participants to use.

Some Hygiene and Well-being Pointers

• Set up ‘stations’ for participants to use hand sanitisers before and after lessons, and access to cloths and disinfectant for them to clean the shared equipment.
• Instructors should make sure cleaning of equipment takes place before and after classes. If the gym or dojo has toilet facilities, those will need to be cleaned more regularly.
• If your dojo is located in a Community Club, the CC will have temperature check stations and SafeEntry check-in requirements. If you are located in a private venue, make sure to set up these stations for participants to check in and log their temperatures before they are allowed to join classes.
• It is encouraged but not mandatory for participants to wear masks during training. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions should take more care, however, and consult their physicians if they should wear masks during training or remove them.
• Remind participants to practise social responsibility. Don’t show up for class if they are sick.

Last but not least...

​Read up on latest, reliable sources of information about COVID-19. Some useful online resources include this e-learning resource on COVID-19 for martial arts instructors. 

The coronavirus has turned the way we live and work upside down, but that's no reason to give up on martial arts and our training if we inculcate safe practices. Stay safe! 

OSU!