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Covid & Synchro Skating: Overview by country (part 1)


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(Credits: Janne Koistinen - 2018)

Which country can skate? With what restrictions? As summer is in full swing in many regions, we offer you a quick overview of the current situation (in two parts), country by country.

Australia
Let's start with some good news! There are no more restrictions related to Covid at this time in Australia. Synchro teams have been able to train without restrictions since July last year. 

Belgium
In Belgium, synchronized skating is allowed since June 9th. The general rule is "if it's necessary for the sport, physical contact is allowed and a max of 50 people can be together inside, so not a problem for synchro," explained our correspondent Shana Van Hoegaerden.

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Finland
From the beginning of May, all under 20 years old Finnish skaters have been able to train. Only adults are not allowed in city-owned rinks (for example, in Helsinki), but they can skate on private rinks. Skaters don't need to wear masks when training but in the locker rooms and halls. 

Some clubs have a policy that coaches use masks indoors all the time; others ask their skaters to keep their gloves on at all times. "We wear our regular gloves made out of fabric that keep our fingers warm during practice. We do not have to wear masks since they are considered harmful while training. And yes, we are finally allowed to hold each other again," explains a skater from Ice Steps.

The situation can be different in other regions in Finland. Helsinki region has been affected by the most challenging Covid restrictions. In the winter, synchro stopped for several months for many teams. The situation has now been getting better all the time, except for Adults. Several synchro teams have now their annual summer break.


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(Credits: Mario Huth - 2020)

France
"In France, the restrictions related to sports were lifted on May 19 for under 18 years old skaters, and on June 9 for Adults. We can train as a full team without any particular rules. This is normally the case for all levels. We have the right to buckle up, and masks are not mandatory,” notes our correspondent Alicia, also a skater for the senior team Les Zoulous.

Germany
"We can skate together but with masks," explained Team Berlin 1. All skaters in this team have been vaccinated. "It‘s quite a normal training. We used to take tests before training, but now we don‘t need them anymore. It depends on the part of Germany you're living in," continued Team DIN. The senior team United Angels from Stuttgart, for example, have no masks but mostly practice skating skills.

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Thank you to all the people who wrote to us to give information about their country.

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