Hotel Quarantine - The Do's and Dont's

Hotel Quarantine - The Do's and Dont's

by Emma Carney (AUS) -
Number of replies: 0

Dear Athletes,

This week we are going to have a look at something that has now become an important part of an international athletes race preparation - Hotel Quarantine.

Everyone would agree it is great to see the racing calendar returning. As expected the world is adjusting to a new ‘normal’ and we all have to make substantial adjustments to our way of life during this time. One major adjustment is hotel quarantine when travelling.

While Hotel Quarantine disrupts your pre Covid-19 pre-race routine, it is extremely important that you must follow the requirements of the host country at events for your own safety, for the safety of the residents of the country you are travelling to and for the security and future of World Triathlon events.

Here’s why:

Host Nations and LOC’s must be provided with the respect and commitment from all travelling to their events. Many steps have been taken to ensure the event is safe not only for athletes, coaches, technical officials and World Triathlon staff, but also those living in the countries and areas hosting. Visitors MUST accept what is required when travelling to a host nation because –

  • Hotel Quarantine is the law of the host country. You break the rules and you will be charged as the host country sees fit. This process is out of World Triathlon’s hands, so you will be alone in defending your actions.
  • You are not exempt from hotel quarantine. Don’t waste time trying to concoct a reason you are.
  • If Triathletes are seen to be disregarding the local Hotel Quarantine laws, local residents will not welcome the sport to return anytime soon.
  • No one in the Host Nation cares if you do not agree with Hotel Quarantine. Do not make a single negative comment about it.
  • Do not make any social media posts regarding negative feedback or your dissatisfaction with your situation in Hotel Quarantine. You will appear selfish and lacking in human compassion.
  • Ensure you know exactly the process required by the host nation and follow the rules. 

Should you choose to break Hotel Quarantine rules, you will destroy the relationship of World Triathlon with the Host Nation. Problems with Hotel Quarantine will destroy the event and Triathlon and Triathletes will not be welcome to return. Do your part in keeping a positive image for Triathlon worldwide.

How do you make Hotel Quarantine work for you? How do you get through your hotel quarantine?

  • Read - all relevant COVID -19 documents of the race. Be familiar with the rules that apply to your upcoming race. Hotel Quarantine rules may be different from one race to another.  

World Triathlon COVID-19 Guidelines are updated regularly. Please visit Documents — World Triathlon

  • Plan. You know you will be in quarantine so plan for it. Travel with a bike trainer, bring a skipping rope to mimic the run and bring some light stretch cords. Have some stretching routines worked out. Pack a book to read/movies to watch/study to finish. Rest up. Study the race course and plan your race… Get yourself mentally prepared for the race.  
  • Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. Don’t waste your time worrying about what you wish you could do for training. You are not going to lose fitness in the time you are required in Hotel Quarantine, but you can mentally destroy your race by becoming over-anxious regarding your preparation.
  • Managing Jet Lag and Travel soreness. Really related to points 1 and 2 above. You need to keep your body moving, but you cannot do what you have done in previous years when travelling internationally. Start practising some warm-up techniques and light workout in a contained area. See what you like or don’t like and what you feel ‘works’ to keep yourself moving. Remember pre event training is not there to improve fitness, it is there to really get to know a course and remove the stiffness of travel from your body. jet lag requires rest, so take the opportunity to rest.  
  • Catering. All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are provided by the hotel in predefined times. you are NOT allowed to order from outside. The Quarantine Hotel may have a small shop for that purpose, but needs to be checked in advance. You may be permitted to bring some food with you only if it is allowed by the customs of that country. Check in advance what can be taken to the country to cover your special nutrition needs.
  • Testing. Upon arrival at the airport: be prepared for testing at the airport. This testing will most likely delay your arrival to the hotel. No one is exempt from this testing. During Hotel Quarantine: Covid tests will be required to be undertaken while you are in the hotel as part of the quarantine procedure defined. No one is exempt from this testing.

One last tip – prepare for your hotel quarantine BEFORE you leave for your event. Remembering if you introduce different types of training methods you could easily injure yourself. Skip and use light stretch cords now in your warm-up routine to get to know what makes you pull up sore and what doesn’t. Training indoors is generally more intense and concentrated than outdoor training so you must adjust the length of your training sessions. Remember you are just trying to tick things over, you are not trying to get fitter during your Hotel Quarantine.

Take things easy in training, but whatever you do DO NOT take the Hotel Quarantine rules lightly. It is the law of the country and region you are visiting – and everyone in the sport of Triathlon is relying on you.

Emma


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Global Development Partner of World Triathlon