Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the rise in cases due to the Delta variant, the CBC will once again be operating with specific rules for Covid safety, which are being put in place to reduce the risk of infection for all participants. Because susceptibility to the virus is strongly tied to vaccination status, but not all people have been vaccinated, we are enacting separate guideline tiers that are based on vaccination status.
Tier 1: Fully vaccinated
You have received both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before December 5, 2021
- You are allowed to count at a park with a team of up to 10 people (including you), provided they are all fully vaccinated as well
- Equipment can be shared with other fully vaccinated participants
- Social distancing falls to your own discretion
- Masks are recommended, but not required
Tier 2: Half-vaccinated
You have received one shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on or before December 5, 2021
- You are allowed to count at a park with a team of up to 5 people (including you), provided they are either half vaccinated or fully vaccinated
- Equipment can not be shared with any other participants
- Social distancing is recommended, but not required
- Masks are required outdoors, and when indoors with people outside of your household
Tier 3: Unvaccinated, negative test
You have not received any Covid vaccines, but get a Covid test that comes back negative after December 5, 2021 (before December 11 is recommended)
- You are allowed to count at a park with a team of up to 2 people (including you), provided they also receive a negative Covid test, or have received at least 1 shot of a vaccine
- Equipment can not be shared with any other participants
- Social distancing is required whenever possible. Stay at least 6 feet apart from other people at all times, and increase this distance to 10 feet if you must remove your mask for food or water
- Masks are required outdoors, and when indoors with people outside of your household
Tier 4: Unvaccinated, no test
You have not received any Covid vaccines, and are unwilling or unable to get a Covid test after December 5, 2021 (before December 11 is recommended)
- You are advised to count at your house, but are allowed to count at a park on your own or with other members of your household
- Equipment can not be shared with anyone who is not part of your household
- Social distancing is required whenever possible. Stay at least 6 feet apart from other people at all times, and increase this distance to 10 feet if you must remove your mask for food or water
- Masks are required outdoors (you should not be indoors with anyone who is not part of your household)
Tier 5: Positive test
You receive a positive Covid test in the month of December, regardless of vaccination status, and are healthy enough to not require hospitalization
- You are only allowed to count at your house with other members of your household
- Equipment can not be shared with anyone who is not part of your household (although you should not be in a situation that necessitates sharing equipment outside of your household)
- Social distancing is required whenever you are outside. Stay at least 6 feet apart from other people at all times
- Masks are required outdoors (you should not be indoors with anyone who is not part of your household)
Specific terms:
- Equipment: Binoculars, scopes, cameras, food, physical lists, books, phones, transportation, and other items involved in birding
- Social distancing: Stay at least 6 feet away from other people whenever possible. If you must take off your mask for food or water, stay at least 10 feet away from the rest of the group
- Household: You and all the people who live in the same house or apartment unit as you
- Indoors: Inside a building, tent, or car
- Wearing masks: A mask must cover the nose and mouth. Cloth masks, surgical masks, and neck gaiters are allowed, bandanas and face coverings made of loose materials like yarn are not (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html).
- Before eating, please use hand sanitizer or wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Hand washing is preferred.
*These guidelines are being put in place to protect you from the virus. Please stay safe*
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