Introduction: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends physical distancing of six-feet between people and the wearing of personal protective masks, as well as safe hygiene practices like hand washing, as fundamental interventions that prevent the spread of COVID-19. These interventions have become widely adopted, and US Lacrosse believes that lacrosse programs and events should adopt these interventions to the extent practicable. COVID-19 has the potential to cause serious illness and death in people of all ages and genders in all communities. Those who are immunocompromised, have co-morbid medical conditions and/or are over the age of 65 are at greatest risk. Additionally, while children appear to be at a lower risk to contract the virus, there is growing concern that they can be asymptomatic carriers who can expose their family members and extended family members to infection. Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate the risk of infection in this pandemic. Therefore, the goals of a safe return to play must focus on mitigating the risk of COVID-19 transmission, quickly identifying and removing participants who may have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19 (and managing appropriately), notifying public health officials to initiate contact tracing when appropriate, and protecting vulnerable and at risk populations.
Guidelines: The PTBYLA has adopted the following guidelines after reviewing information from the CDC, PA Department of Health, US Lacrosse and Peters Township School District.
General:
Do not attend practice/game if you are feeling ill, or have been in contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19 or has diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
Do not attend practice if your child’s school has suspended in person learning due to COVID-19
Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds
Social distance (6 ft.) whenever possible
Wear mask except when playing on field
Feeling ill is defined by the following symptoms
Common
Fever > 100.4
Cough
Shortness of Breath
Less Common
Sore Throat/Congestion
Headache/Chills
Muscle and Joint Pain
Nausea or Vomiting
Loss sense of smell/taste
Diarrhea
Unusual tiredness
PTBYLA:
Publish return to play guidelines as approved by Peters Township Parks and Recreation on the website and emailed to our members prior to any PTBYLA activities.
PTBYLA will require signed liability waiver covering return to play guidelines and regarding COVID-19 issues prior to participating in any PTBYLA activities.
Practice/game start and ending times will be staggered to reduce amount of cross traffic of arriving and leaving players/spectators
Will provide hand sanitizer to coaches in equipment bags.
Immediately separate any individual with COVID-19 symptoms (i.e., fever, cough, shortness of breath) at any PTBYLA activity. Individuals who are sick should go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on how severe their symptoms are, and follow CDC guidance for caring for oneself and others who are sick. Individuals who have had close contact with a person who has symptoms will be separated and sent home as well.
Within the bounds of confidentiality and with all due respect to individual’s privacy, the PTBYLA will advise the Parks & Rec Department of a reported case, which team they are on and which school they attend and also advise the members of the team and anyone who had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms, and to follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
Any individual diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to activity until providing a written clearance from a doctor and have met CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation.
Goalie equipment will not be shared and will be sanitized between uses.
Parents:
Conduct a health assessment on yourself and your child prior to practice/game. Do not attend practice/game if you or your child is feeling ill as defined by the list above under the General heading, or have been in contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19 or has diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
If anyone within your household or your child has been in contact with has been diagnosed with COVID-19, notify the PTBYLA immediately at ptboyslaxinfo@gmail.com .
Send your child with a water bottle that is labeled with his name. Remind your son not to share his water bottle with anyone during practice/game.
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after transporting your son to and from practice/games.
Promptly pick up and drop off your son from practice/game.
Parents/family are recommended to stay in their vehicle during practice.
Spectators observing practice/game from sidelines must wear a mask and maintain a social distance of 6 ft. from any non-household family members.
Avoid carpooling unless necessary.
Players:
Conduct a health assessment prior to practice/game. Do not attend practice/game if you are feeling ill as defined by the list above under the General heading or have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is under investigation of having Covid-19 in the past 14 days.
Wash/sanitize your hands prior to and after practice/game.
Wear a mask to and from the field.
Social distance (6ft) whenever possible (no handshakes, high fives, fist bumps or unnecessary contact).
Equipment bags should be social distanced (6ft) on sidelines
Arrive no more than 15 minutes early to the field for practice or game. If at the field earlier than 15 min., please wait in your vehicle to limit congregating.
Bring labeled water bottle. Do not share.
Practice pinnies should be laundered between practices
Coaches:
Conduct a health assessment prior to practice/game. Do not attend practice/game if you are feeling ill as defined by list above under the General heading or have been in contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19 or has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
Before practice/game ask if anyone is feeling ill. If a player reports ill as defined by the list under the General heading, send them home.
Wash/sanitize your hands prior to and after practice/game.
Wear mask at all times (to and from vehicle and while on field).
Maintain social distance (6ft) whenever possible and direct players to wear masks to and from field and maintain social distancing prior to and after practice/game and during breaks.
Avoid team huddles as much as possible. No handshakes, fist bumps, high fives or handshake lines.
Be prompt with practice/game schedule to limit any unnecessary congregating of players or spectators before or after practice/game.
Take attendance at each practice/game.
Equipment is not to be shared between players.
Referees:
Conduct a health assessment prior to practice/game. Do not attend practice/game if you are feeling ill as defined by the list above under the General heading or have been in contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19 or has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
Wash/sanitize your hands prior to, during breaks and after game.
Sanitize whistle prior to and after games
Wear mask at all times.
Maintain social distancing (6ft) whenever possible
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