Further Updates Regarding COVID-19

Assalamu Alaykum (peace be upon you),

As you know, MIST's first priority is the health and safety of all our participants. We emailed last week regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are emailing you again tonight with more updates.

Please be assured that MIST has been coordinating our response to this event with multiple public health, infectious disease, and epidemiology experts. We have been planning such a scenario for months, and are confident in our ability to keep you healthy and safe. As the outbreaks have spread across North America, it is important to inform you of several changes to our existing rules:

First, if your local health department recommends against large events like MIST, your tournament will be hosted virtually and/or rescheduled for May or June. Your tournament may also be hosted virtually/rescheduled if the planned venue is closed. We understand this plan may pose a significant inconvenience, but your health comes first. If this happens, your region will update you as soon as possible.

Second, if public health officials allow large events like MIST to continue, we will require all participants to complete this health checklist. Participants who are, or have been, sick within 14 days of the tournament start date, and/or those who have traveled to listed Level 3 nations within 14 days of their tournament start date, may not attend in-person. Please contact your region to receive a refund. This is in addition to our previously announced policies banning physical contact and mandating the use of hand sanitizer/handwashing. Volunteers have been trained to wipe down all high-touch areas after each use.

Third, if your team travels more than one hour to attend MIST, please be prepared for a situation where your team participates virtually, even though the event continues to be held physically. We recommend checking your hotel/travel refund policies before booking.

If you feel uncomfortable attending MIST in-person, despite these measures, please reach out to your region, and we will find alternative arrangements for you. Updates are unfolding hour-by-hour, so we appreciate your patience. Please feel free to reach out to me personally if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. We have set up a page on our website which will be continually updated with the latest information we have regarding COVID-19.

During times like these, we ask for you to remain prepared and calm. Please extend your continued prayers to everyone who may be affected by this disease.

Sincerely,
Faisal Chaudhry
Interim Executive Director
MIST
executivedirector@getmistified.com