DRAFT – not yet peer reviewed SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 & mountain sports: specific risks, their mitigation and recommendations for policy makers Henning Wackerhage1)*, Roger Everett2,3), Urs Hefti4) Simon Richardson3), Eric Carter5), Carolina Olufemi1), Gudrun Weikert1), Andreas Thomann1) & Martin Schönfelder1) 1) Technical University of Munich, Department of Sport and Health Sciences 2) Former affiliation: University of Glasgow, Medical Research Council, Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, Scotland, UK 3) Scottish Mountaineering Club 4) Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA) 5) University of British Columbia *Corresponding author. E-mail
[email protected] Key words: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, mountain sports, mountaineering, mitigation Word count (main text): 9464 words This paper has not yet been peer reviewed. We are circulating it now because of the immediacy of the current situation and a) to help mountaineers and hopefully politicians to develop concepts and b) to receive input from stake holders. 1 DRAFT – not yet peer reviewed Abstract SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected all areas of life, including mountain sports. The aim of this review is to analyse the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 on mountain sports and to give best practice recommendations for mountain sports when there is a risk for a SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via respiratory droplets and aerosols (floating liquid particles) generated during coughing, sneezing and talking as well as contact with SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces. Most SARS-CoV-2 infections occur indoors, including one infection where a mountain walker probably became infected in her accommodation.