ALBANY SOCCER CLUB RETURN TO SOCCER ACTIVITY GUIDELINES UPDATE

The rules and policies related to COVID-19 are continually evolving. Much of what can and cannot be done in youth soccer is dictated by NY State and local officials, which can change with very little notice.  We saw this in March, and it can happen again.  I can’t stress enough that we will respect each and every one of your tolerance for risk, without judgment.  This is difficult enough and the last thing anyone needs is to be second guessed about the well-being of the most important people in our lives.   Return to Soccer Activities is also guided by the best practice guidelines from U.S. Soccer PLAY ON initiative. See https://www.ussoccer.com/playon. Our club must comply with all mandatory requirements listed in the Summary of Reopening NY Sports and Recreation guidelines:

 https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/SportsAndRecreationSummaryGuidance.pdf

https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/SportsAndRecreationMasterGuidance.pdf

Our expectation is that we will move forward cautiously and responsibly so we can continue moving forward with soccer activities and not have to revert back to where we were in the early part of the pandemic. This includes:

• Not traveling to tournaments out of our region or out of state.

• Excluding members from participating in activities that have symptoms

• Excluding members from participating in activities that have been exposed to the coronavirus and have been directed to by health officials to self-isolate / self-quarantine

• Cooperating with local health officials and contact tracers if a member of your organization tests positive for the coronavirus. This includes providing information to the contact tracers to indicate who they may have been in contact including team members, other club members, coaches and any opposing teams. We look forward to when this virus is behind us. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy soccer activities in a safe manner.

CRITERIA FOR RETURN-TO-PLAY

We are recommending the following criteria to educate its members on CDC guidelines, New York State Department of Health, and US Youth Soccer Guidelines to maintain a healthy environment once players, coaches, volunteers, and spectators return to the field:

❖ Participants should have no sign or symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have not been exposed to someone that has been ill in 14 days.

❖ Live in a general location for 14 days prior to beginning group training. This requirement reduces the risk of introducing COVID-19 into the training group by someone traveling from a different region.

❖ Common Symptoms:  Trouble breathing; Pain or pressure in the chest that persists; Experience confusion or trouble waking up o Bluish lips or face

❖ Take temperature at home before going to training.

❖ Upon arriving to training, coaches or staff should ask each athlete if they are experiencing any signs or symptom of COVID-19. If the athlete has any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 they should be sent home and instructed to contact their health provider. Players will not be allowed to return to training until they are cleared by a healthcare provider. A doctor’s note must be provided to return to training.

❖ Participants, organizers, spectators, volunteers and facility employees in high risk categories should not participate or attend organized sport activities. List of high risk categories can be found https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html.

❖ Small group training should take place in an area where physical distancing (6 ft. apart) can be maintained.

❖ Spectators, nonessential visitors, staff, volunteers and activities involving external groups or organizations should be limited as much as possible. Clearly designate and mark spectator viewing sites to allow for social distancing. All must practice social distancing including wearing face coverings.

❖ Be sure appropriate infection prevention supplies (i.e. hand sanitizer, facial tissues, facial coverings) are present in multiple targeted areas.

❖ Each participant will be required to have their own water bottle, towel, and personal hygiene products: o Hand sanitizer should be readily available and must contain at least 60% alcohol

Face coverings can include masks, scarfs, and bandanas over nose and mouth

❖ Players are not required to wear face coverings during physical activities but must wear them when arriving and leaving training.

❖ NO sharing personal items. Participants should use their own equipment and instructed to sanitize their equipment after each training session.

❖ Coaches and spectators will be required to wear face coverings when within 6 feet of others.

❖ Practice respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes with tissue or inside elbow.

❖ Tissues, wipes or disposable gloves must be properly disposed in the appropriate receptacles.

❖ Follow cleaning schedule protocol of equipment (cones, goals, etc.) with disinfectant before, during and after use.

❖ Provide adequate field space for social distancing.

Additional Resources: CDC Considerations for Youth Sports:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youthsports.html CDC and New York State Department of Health assemblage and distance guidelines. https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/2019-2024/index.htm CDC COVID-19

New York State: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home CDC COVID-19 Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptomstesting/symptoms.html CDC: Sample Signs with Symptoms, Stopping the Spread of Germs, etc., from the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/printresources.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc CDC: How to Protect Yourself and

Others https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html https://forward.ny.gov/ US Soccer Return-to-Play: 5 Phases Overview (https://www.ussoccer.com/playon. US Soccer Play-On Guide https://www.ussoccer.com/playon/guides/phase-1-grassroots