Author: Attia Prima

February 11, 2022 an alert announcement concerning David McDowell has been issued by the authorities.  The

Kingdom of Avacal issued a TRP on January 27, 2022 against David McDowell to remove him from SCA positions and prohibit him from all SCA activities.

The Kingdom encourages anyone with information concerning the investigation to contact Edmonton police at 780.423.4567 or Crime Stoppers, or submit information anonymously through the online national cybertip website -> https://cybertip.ca/

Attia Prima, OP
Kingdom Seneschal, An Tir

An individual who attended a culinary night on Wednesday, February 9th, 2022 has tested positive for Covid-19. This announcement is to inform those who attended the culinary night. We encourage those who were at the event to get tested for Covid-19 and avoid contact with others until the test results are received.

The Blatha An Oir in-person activities will be suspended for February 18, 2022. Blatha An Oir can resume activities on February 19, 2022.

Attia Prima, OP
Kingdom Seneschal, An Tir

An individual who attended a small event on Saturday February 5th, 2022 has tested positive for Covid-19. This announcement is to inform those who attended the event. We encourage those who were at the event to get tested for Covid-19 and avoid contact with others until the test results are received.

The Hauksgarðr’s in-person activities will be suspended for 10 days. Hauksgarðr can resume activities on February 19, 2022.

Attia Prima, OP
Kingdom Seneschal, An Tir

Greetings to An Tir:

After discussion with the Crown, and input from the many groups holding events that immediately follow Principality level, Crown level and Kingdom level events, like May Crown, Principality Coronet Tournaments, Coronations and Championship Tournaments, it has been determined that a change in the Kingdom Policy Regarding a Positive COVID test will be implemented.  Accordingly, the entire Kingdom and/or Principality will not be automatically shut down for 10 days following a positive COVID test at a Kingdom or Principality event. 

Groups in An Tir must be able to plan for their events to go forward without the threat of suffering catastrophic financial impacts if there is a positive COVID test at a Kingdom or Principality level event and the Kingdom or Principality is subject to shut down and wholesale event cancellation for 10 days after.  Although the financial impacts would be acutely felt by some of the larger events planned over the Memorial Day/ Remembrance Day Weekend following May Crown (Egils, Celtic and Boar’s Hunt), the Kingdom is cognizant of the health of all of its groups and recognizes that after two years of event cancellations and virtually no income, groups are feeling both a financial pinch and volunteer burnout with regard to “cancellation fatigue.”  Having to cancel events after a COVID positive test in a different geographical area of the Kingdom has the very real threat to be catastrophic to some groups.

This change in policy will give groups planning events that follows these Kingdom and Principality level events the certainty they need to make substantial financial and other commitments to bring their events to fruition without the threat of cancellation.  This change in policy does not affect the automatic 10 day shut down for groups at the baronial and shire level after a positive COVID test following a baronial or shire level event.  The 10-day shutdown policy will remain in effect with regard to possible COVID exposures at a local level.

Thus, in order to maintain the financial health of the Kingdom and its groups, while at the same time facilitating the mental and physical health of its Populace, We are asking that all members of the Kingdom do their part to help keep everyone as healthy and safe as possible.  To that end:

• Please DO NOT attend any event if you are sick, or feeling sick.  Please default to erring on the side of assuming you are infected and that it is not just your allergies acting up and STAY HOME. 
  
• If you attend a Kingdom or Principality event where there is subsequently a reported positive COVID test, please assume you were exposed and self-isolate as recommended by the CDC (currently 5 days).  Additionally, please undertake a COVID test before attending your next event to ensure you are not an asymptomatic carrier.   We understand it may not be possible to get tested if the events are close together, but  everyone should make their best effort to do so.
  
• Please DO NOT attend any event if you have knowledge that you have been exposed, or even possibly been exposed to COVID.  Please assume that you have been exposed and follow the CDC guidance regarding isolating and testing.

A lot of great events are planned for this Spring and Summer and we know everyone is excited to get out and see their people.  Let’s work together to responsibly minimize the spread of COVID  and be good citizens of our community by prioritizing the health and safety of the group over our own individual desires to do all the things.  We thank you in advance for your efforts.

All other policies relating to COVID will remain in place – this includes, but is not limited to, the proof of vaccination and/or 72 hour negative COVID test as a prerequisite for event attendance.  If you get a COVID positive result after attending an SCA event, meeting or gathering, please remember to inform your Seneschals.  Thank you.

Attia Prima, OP
Kingdom Seneschal, An Tir

An Tir,

We are now 10 days out from 12^th night.  For the sake of being transparent we have a tally of 8 positive tests reported from the event.  We had 357 attendees.  I appreciate everyone who did report to either myself or the Madrone seneschal.  We worked together to make sure the tally stayed current. 

As we move forward in the Kingdom and with Ursulmas in a week please remember:

Do not attend an event if you are sick. 
Do not attend an event if you have been exposed (even if not confirmed or waiting on a test result).  Assume you are positive.

Remember, there will always be another event. 

Attia
Kingdom Seneschal

An Tir,

We were notified that we have another Positive Case of Covid from 12^th night.  Please assume that if you attended the event you were exposed and go get tested or self-isolate.

Attia
Kingdom Seneschal An Tir

These policies supersede any prior policy of An Tir since we reopened. COVIDSafe is still in place for the Kingdom of AnTir.

An Tir COVID Policies:  Effective January 12, 2022

**In addition to the normal sanctions process, anyone challenging event staff regarding the enforcement of any COVID policy shall be denied entry to or be immediately removed from the event.**

All Events:‎

• You must show your vaccination card or current testing results before entrance to ‎event.  Pursuant to SCA’s COVIDSafe policy. https://www.sca.org/news/covidsafe-‎proof-of-fully-vaccinated-status-or-negative-covid-test-policy-resolution/‎
• ‎Must comply with prevailing local health regulations
• ‎‎Masks are required pursuant to State, Provincial, and local mandates
• ‎‎Masks may be briefly removed while ACTIVELY eating and drinking or fighting (should the fighters agree) only.  They MUST be put back on once the eating, drinking, or fighting is completed.
• Language from Society, must be posted anywhere the event is being advertised, Crier, ‎gate, Facebook events, An Tir calendar page.‎
• All attendees to any sponsored SCA activity MUST fill out a contact tracing sheet.  If you ‎fail to do so you can be subject to sanction.‎

FOOD SERVICE:

• Staff should be masked throughout the meal prep and cooking, including prep activity occurring off site.
• Staff will be vigilant with respect to sanitizing and handwashing.
• Food will be served by designated servers.
• Serving utensils use is restricted to masked gloved servers.
• Guests should be seated in family pods as much as possible with tables spaced out.

PRE-REG:

Although Pre-Reg does allow contact tracing to occur; an event does not have to use Pre-Reg for attendance.  If a branch decides not to use pre-reg they must have the normal sign in paperwork, AND separate contact tracing sheet.

Suspending Activities:

A Branch may suspend activities due to the rate of the virus spreading.  This will not replace the current policy if a branch has a positive COVID result in their branch after attending activities.  If a branch suspends activities the following must occur:

• Set a timeline.  2 weeks, 10 days, 30 days etc.  There must be an end date.  It is not to be closed indefinitely.
• Notify the Kingdom Seneschal.
• If a branch is unable to hold their required event for the year, they must contact the Kingdom Seneschal for a variance.

Virtual Court

Please see the updated policy located:  Virtual Court 1-12-2022

Remember:

Rosters are to be signed with information on how to reach you  If you are uncomfortable leaving your contact information on the sheet please make sure the person in charge of those rosters receives your information directly.

Any positive result of COVID at an in-person activity needs to be reported to the Seneschal’s office (Principality or Kingdom) as soon as possible. The Kingdom and Principality have a workflow that will be followed. The name of an infected person WILL NOT be released.  Dates of possible exposure will be.

As with everything please remember we are all volunteers.  Your Crown, Seneschal, local Senechals, Marshals etc. are doing the best they can.  These circumstances change on a daily basis.  Kindness goes a long way.  Please do not abuse the officers.  They are doing the work for you and the safety of the Kingdom.

From Society: “No matter what safety precautions we put in place, there is no substitute for each individual being educated about the risk to themselves and their loved ones and making responsible choices to protect themselves and others from this virus.”

Any questions please reach out to the Seneschal. Seneschal@antir.org

Attia Prima, OP
Kingdom Seneschal, An Tir

Greetings AnTir,

An individual who attended 12^th Night on Saturday January 8th, 2022 has tested positive for Covid-19. They were vaccinated and wearing a mask at the event. This announcement is to inform those who attended the event and the Kingdom as a whole. We encourage those who were at the event to get tested for Covid-19 and avoid contact with others until the test results are received.

The Kingdom’s in-person activities will be suspended for 10 days.  The Kingdom can resume activities on January 21, 2022.

If you do test positive, please report this information to the Kingdom Seneschal.  Thank you!

Attia Prima, OP
Kingdom Seneschal, An Tir