Hygiene and Health Standards

The health, safety, and comfort of attendees for our events is of utmost importance to ensure that tournament attendees, players, and staff can all make the most of the events and enjoy their time. To that extent, this section will cover general recommendations and policies that should be followed and respected by all who attend these events.

If any of the policies below pose difficult to follow, please seek out a staff member for recommendations or accommodations that might be made. Players may be subject to removal from the tournament venue for gross violations of these policies or asked to engage in reasonable requests to rectify any lapses in personal hygiene for the health, safety, and comfort for those around them. Players shall not use the above policies and recommendations to have another player or other person removed from the venue.

Hygiene

All attendees should show up to the venue with reasonably clean clothing and are expected to have washed, showered, or cleansed themselves prior to entering the tournament venue. Cleanliness extends to peripherals players choose to bring with them, including bags or other implements. Players should try to not overuse very pungent deodorants or other personal hygiene goods that may produce strong odors. Consider using neutral, mild scents, or general deodorizers. While it is understandable that different events may come with different conditions, such as availability of air conditioning or other amenities that may endanger staying comfortable, it is recommended to take regular breaks to cool off or reapply deodorant, as needed. Not all attendees are equally sensitive or insensitive to strong or offending odors as others. Strong smells from fragrances, whether synthetic or natural, or odors in the same regard, may disrupt the concentration and/or comfort of other attendees. And while it is a known phenomenon to not notice or become used to fragrances from items you use or odors you produce, attendees should regularly assess and be mindful of their effects on those around them.

Many occasions in playing Grand Archive in a tournament setting will cause or create tight spacing in enclosed spaces that can exacerbate any disturbances caused by strong odors and fragrances. It is out of respect for fellow patrons to ensure that everyone abides by the above recommendations as best as possible.

Health

In tandem with hygiene, some elements of personal grooming may pose health hazards, especially if a standard of care becomes unsanitary or poses some risk to the other attendees. If an attendee is feeling under the weather or sick, they are expected to monitor and treat their symptoms as best possible so as to not cause issues for those around them, such as having a very runny nose where secretions may directly affect play. Those with a cough or sneeze should wear a mask and be mindful of those around them when coughing. Body aches, fevers, and chills should also be monitored as it may be the sign of an emerging contagious hazard. Large gatherings of people often incite the spread of illnesses, and this is assuredly more true when it comes to groups of exhausted and well-worn travelers that attend these events.

Depending on the severity of illness or wellbeing, it may be advisable to abstain and withdraw from the event entirely for one's own health and the health of those around them. Attendees are recommended to get as much rest as possible and stay properly nourished and hydrated throughout the span of an event. Those traveling should try to rest adequately prior to events. If you notice anything which may pose a substantial concern to the health and safety of others at the venue, please bring them to the attention of a staff member so that it may be dealt with properly. Any health emergencies should be immediately be reported to the proper authorities with emergency lines contacted as quickly as possible. Please also be mindful of any other health concerns that may easily spread between people or their belongings, such as lice or other bugs, that could pose a public health risk.