Volunteers

Volunteer Registration

Volunteer Registration will open in fall for HOCR 2023. Please check back for details!

 

Volunteer spots are not guaranteed, and unfortunately we receive hundreds of more applications than we can accommodate. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis by our Race Operations group. All accepted applicants will be notified by the end of September.

 

Head of the Charles Regatta

COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols

Updated 9/28/22

In consultation with advisors from Massachusetts General Hospital, this COVID-19 health and safety guidance has been developed to facilitate a safe and successful regatta by incorporating optimal mitigation strategies against the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the causative virus of COVID-19).  The Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) will adhere to the guidance of USRowing and to the public health regulations in the cities of Boston and Cambridge, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States Centers for Disease Control.  This guidance is also subject to change as scientific knowledge advances, based on changes in disease epidemiology and prevalence, and to conform to appropriate regulatory guidance.

 

General Guidance

Although COVID-19 infection remains within our midst, we believe that a safe and successful Regatta is well within reach.  At this time, the majority of individuals have immunity to COVID-19 through vaccination and/or natural infection, the severity of COVID-19 disease is reduced for those with immunity, and there are highly effective therapies in the event of infection.  In addition, HOCR benefits from being held outdoors, where transmission is less likely.  Nonetheless, as with an activity that involves gathering, even with multiple mitigation strategies, the risk of transmission cannot be eliminated.  We encourage all participants to adhere to best practices to reduce the risk for all.

HOCR expects all spectators to follow all applicable state and local regulations.

All participants are required to follow CDC as well Massachusetts regulations regarding vaccination requirements and arrival testing/quarantine protocols that are in place at the time of the Regatta. These may change from the time of initial registration, and it is the responsibility of the participant to know the rules related to their location of origin.

Participants are expected to follow all HOCR COVID-19 health and safety protocols, including self-isolation if symptoms develop, and cooperation with all HOCR and Department of Public Health actions in the case of an exposure or other public health event.

HOCR will not be responsible for providing quarantine or isolation accommodations if they are required and will not reimburse any expenses related to travel, quarantine, or isolation should an individual or team not be allowed to participate due to COVID-19.

 

Vaccination

  • HOCR strongly encourages vaccination of all participants, including volunteers, athletes, sponsors, and spectators. For the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines, please visit this CDC link.
  • All participants understand that there may be unvaccinated individuals at the Regatta and will consider their own behaviors accordingly.

Testing

  • HOCR will not require SARS-CoV-2 testing among asymptomatic participants other than in the setting of recent exposures. However, athletes, staff, sponsors, and volunteers will be required to follow all applicable U.S. and state testing and quarantine requirements related to travel, symptoms, and exposure.
  • For those that develop symptoms compatible with COVID-19 at the event, and for those who are identified as contacts of those with COVID-19, HOCR expects participants to self-test via a rapid antigen test. Symptomatic persons will not be able to participate without a negative test.

Social Distancing and Capacity management

  • HOCR will adhere to state and local regulations around capacity management. At the present time, there are no restrictions on indoor and outdoor gathering size nor capacity limitations. Sponsors must abide by state and local capacity limits at the time of the Regatta and are responsible for ensuring their sponsorship location does not exceed the allowed capacity. HOCR will not impose capacity limits in any of the venues.  This is subject to change if pandemic conditions require or in the event of new State or national guidance.
  • Sponsors are expected to maintain at least one open end to any tent to ensure adequate air flow.

Masking and Indoor Spaces

  • HOCR will adhere to state and local regulations on mask usage.
  • Other than for those who are required to mask because of recent COVID-19 infection or recent exposure to COVID-19, masks will not be required. Those who choose to mask indoors or outdoors should be respected in their choice.
  • When required, surgical and/or N95 or equivalent masks should be worn.

Hand Hygiene

  • We encourage all participants to wash or sanitize their hands regularly. Hand sanitizer stations will be available at information stations and first aid stations.
  • Individual hand sanitizers will be available at registration as well.

Symptomatic Participants

  • All participants should abide by state and local public health guidance surrounding SARS-CoV-2 isolation and quarantine. Lack of cooperation with public health guidance will be grounds for removal from the event.
  • Any participant, regardless of vaccination status, with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 in the 10 days prior to the event should be tested for SARS-CoV-2 prior to participation. Only those symptomatic participants with negative tests will be allowed to participate in the event. Either PCR or rapid antigen testing will be allowed, but if rapid antigen testing is selected, it should be performed on the day of participation in the event.
  • Any participant who develops symptoms compatible with COVID-19 while at the Regatta should immediately self-isolate and/or perform a rapid antigen test. Individuals who test positive should follow all applicable public health requirements regarding isolation, notification of close contacts, restriction of public transportation, and reporting. Symptomatic persons will not be able to participate without a negative test.
  • No individual diagnosed with COVID-19 infection within 5 days of the event will be allowed to participate. Those diagnosed between 6-10 days prior to the event may participate if they are symptomatically improved and have been without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Other than for athletes during the competition, masks should be worn at all times.

Exposures and Contact Tracing

  • Individuals exposed to COVID-19 in the 10 days prior to the event, regardless of vaccination status, will take a PCR test or a rapid antigen test. If rapid antigen testing is selected, it should be performed on the day of participation in the event.  Individuals may only participate if the test is negative. With the exception of athletes during competition, these individuals must still wear a mask during the event.

In the event of notification of a communicable illness at the event, HOCR will cooperate with local and state public health authorities.  All participants and attendees are expected to cooperate with public health outreach and guidance.

Please send questions about volunteering to volunteer@hocr.org. For technical assistance, please contact RegattaCentral directly.