This guidance is preliminary; as more public health information is available, the administration may work | |
with impacted entities to release further guidance which could impact fall, winter, or springseasons. |
INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented athletics across the world with a myriad of challenges. The COVID-19 virus is a highly contagious illness that primarily attacks the upper respiratory system. The virus that causes COVID-19 can infect people of all ages. Research from the Centers for Disease Control, amongothers, has found that while children do get infected by COVID-19, relatively few children with COVID-19 arehospitalized. However, some severe outcomes have been reported in children, and a child with a mild or evenasymptomatic case of COVID-19 can spread the infection to others who may be far more vulnerable. While itis not possible to eliminate all risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19, the current science suggests thereare many steps schools can take to reduce the risks to students, coaches, and their families.
The JCSD will take the necessary precautions and recommendations from the federal, state, and local governments, CDC, PA DOH, as well as the NFHS and PIAA. The JCSD realizes the knowledge regarding COVID-19 is constantly changing as new information and treatments become available. These recommendations will be adjusted as needed as new information becomes available in order to decreasethe risk of exposure for our staff, students, and spectators.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for ALL LEVELS for Junior and Senior High Athletics
1. Athletes, Coaches, and Staff will undergo a COVID- 19 health screening prior to any practice, event,or team meeting. The type of screening will be dependent upon the available resources and thePhase level. The purpose is to check for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The screenings could range from a verbal/written questionnaire to a temperature check. Temperatures at 100.4 or higher will be sent home.
2. Promote healthy hygiene practices such as hand washing (20 seconds with warm water and soap) and employees wearing a cloth face covering as feasible. (Face coverings are recommended to helpdecrease potential exposure to COVID-19 respiratory droplets by an infected individual. Face Coverings will not be used for athletes while practicing or competing.) Hand Sanitizer will be available for team use as resources allow.
3. Intensify cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation in all facilities
4. Encourage social distancing through increased spacing, small groups, and limited mixing between groups, if feasible
5. Educate Athletes, Coaches, and Staff on health and safety protocols 6.Anyone who is sick must stay home
7. Plan in place if a student or employee gets sick
8. Regularly communicate and monitor developments with local authorities, employees, and families regarding cases, exposures, and updates to policies and procedures
9. Athletes and Coaches MUST provide their own water bottle for hydration. Water bottles must not beshared.
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10. PPE (gloves, masks, eye protection) will be used as needed and situations warrant, or determined by local/state governments.
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11. Identify Staff and students who may be at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions.(See - CDC “People Who are at a Higher Risk for Severe Illness”)
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CLASSIFICATION OF SPORTS
High Risk: Sports that involve close, sustained contact between participants, lack of significant protective barriers, and high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants. Examples: football, wrestling, cheerleading (stunts), dance
Moderate Risk: Sports that involve close, sustained contact, but with protective equipment in place that may reduce the likelihood of respiratory particle transmission between participants OR intermittent close contactOR group sports that use equipment that can’t be cleaned between participants. Examples: basketball,volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, ice hockey, tennis, pole vault, high jump, long jump, 7 on 7 football
Low Risk: Sports that can be done with social distancing or individually with no sharing of equipment or the ability to clean the equipment between uses by competitors. Examples: running events, cross country,throwing events, swimming, golf, weightlifting, sideline cheer
** High/Moderate Risk Sports may move to a Low risk category with non-contact modifications. TeamActivities should be limited to individual skill development drills that maintain social distancing.
LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION
Level 1 (PA State Red)
Team Activities: No In-person gatherings allowed, Athletes and Coaches may communicate via online meetings (zoom, google meet, etc.), Athletes may participate in individual home workouts includingstrength and conditioning.
● All school facilities remain closed as per PA State Guidelines.
● Athletes and Coaches should abide by guidelines set forth by the local and state governments.
Level 2 (PA State Yellow or Green - once permitted by PIAA)
Team Activities may include: team meetings, open gym, kick around, weight training/conditioning,running events, cross country, throwing events, swimming, golf, and sideline cheer, etc.
Pre-workout Screening:
● All coaches and students should be screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to a workout. The screenings could range from a verbal/written questionnaire to a temperature check.(SeeAppendix for COVID-19 Screening Form)
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● Responses to screening questions for each person should be recorded and stored so that there is a record of everyone present in case a student develops COVID-19
● Any person with positive symptoms reported should not be allowed to take part in workouts andshould contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate health-care professional. Aclearance may be required to return to play.
Limitations on Gatherings:
● No gathering of more than (25 Yellow - 250 Green) individuals per group including coaches perpractice area.
● Controlled non-contact practices only, modified game rules
● Social Distancing should be applied during practices and in locker rooms, and gathering areas.
Facilities Cleaning:
● Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities to mitigate any communicable disease
● Athletic Facilities should be cleaned prior to arrival and post workouts and team gatherings, hightouch areas should be cleaned more often
● Weight Room Equipment should be wiped down after an individual’s use
● Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times in the weight room to minimize sweatfrom transmitting onto equipment surfaces
Physical Activity:
● Lower risk sports practices may begin
● Modified practices may begin for Moderate and High risk sports (practices must remain non-contact and include social distancing where applicable, activity should focus on individual skill development)
● Students should refrain from sharing clothing/towels and should be washed after each practice, including pinnies
● Athletic equipment that may be used by multiple individuals (balls, shields, tackling dummies, shot put, discus, pole vault, etc.) should be cleaned intermittently during practice and events as deemed necessary
● Hand Sanitizer should be used periodically as resources allow
● Spotters for maximum weight lifts should be stationed at each end of the bar
Hydration:
● Students MUST bring their own water bottle. Water bottles must not be shared.
● Hydration stations (water coolers, water fountains, water cows, water troughs, etc.) should not be utilized
Level 3 (PA State Green - once permitted by PIAA)
Team activities may include: : basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, ice hockey, tennis, polevault, high jump, long jump, 7 on 7 football, etc.
Pre-workout/Contest Screening:
● Any person who has COVID-19 symptoms should not be allowed to participate in practice/games, and should contact their primary care physician or another appropriate health-care provider. A clearance may be required to return to play.
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● COVID-19 Screenings (Questionnaire and Temperature Checks may continue as per State andLocal government recommendations)
● Team attendance should be recorded
Limitations on Gatherings:
● As per State and Local Guidelines
● When not directly participating in practices or contests, social distancing should be considered and applied when able
Facilities Cleaning:
● Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities to mitigate any communicable disease
● Athletic Facilities should be cleaned prior to arrival and post workouts and team gatherings, hightouch areas should be cleaned more often
● Weight Room Equipment should be wiped down after and individual’s use
● Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times in the weight room to minimize sweatfrom transmitting onto equipment surfaces
Physical Activity and Athletic Equipment:
● Low, Moderate, and High Risk practices and Low and Moderate Risk competitions may begin (Asper State, Local, and PIAA Guidelines)
● Students should refrain from sharing clothing/towels and should be washed after each practice, including pinnies.
● Athletic equipment that may be used by multiple individuals (balls, shields, tackling dummies, shot put, discus, pole vault, etc.) should be cleaned intermittently during practice and events as deemednecessary
● Hand Sanitizer should be used periodically as resources allow
● Spotters for maximum weight lifts should be stationed at each end of the bar
Hydration:
● Students MUST bring their own water bottle. Water bottles must not be shared. ● Hydration Stations may be used but MUST be cleaned after every practice/event.
Level 4 (PA State Green - once permitted by PIAA)
Team Activities include: Low/Moderate Sports may resume. High Risk Sports (Football, Wrestling, and Cheerleading Stunting) may begin full person to person contact and competition.
Pre-workout/Contest Screening:
● Any person who has COVID-19 symptoms should not be allowed to participate in practice/games, and should contact their primary care physician or another appropriate health-care provider.
● COVID-19 Screenings (Questionnaire and Temperature Checks may continue as per State andLocal government recommendations)
● Team attendance should be recorded
Limitations on Gatherings:
● As per State and Local Guidelines
● When not directly participating in practices or contests, social distancing should be considered and applied when able
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Facilities Cleaning:
● Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities to mitigate any communicable disease
● Athletic Facilities should be cleaned prior to arrival and post workouts and team gatherings, hightouch areas should be cleaned more often
● Weight Room Equipment should be wiped down after and individual’s use
● Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times in the weight room to minimize sweatfrom transmitting onto equipment surfaces
Physical Activity and Athletic Equipment:
● All sports may resume normal practice and competition
● Students should refrain from sharing clothing/towels and should be washed after each practice, including pinnies.
● Athletic equipment that may be used by multiple individuals (balls, shields, tackling dummies, shot put, discus, pole vault, etc.) should be cleaned intermittently during practice and events as deemednecessary
● Hand Sanitizer should be used periodically as resources allow
● Spotters for maximum weight lifts should be stationed at each end of the bar
Hydration:
● Students MUST bring their own water bottle. Water bottles must not be shared. ● Hydration Stations may be used but MUST be cleaned after every practice/event.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Transportation:
Modifications for student/coach transportation to and from athletic events may be necessary. This may include:
● Reducing the number of students/coaches on a bus/van ● Using hand sanitizer upon boarding a bus/van
● Social distancing on a bus
These potential modifications will be determined by the school district, bus companies, Department of Education, State and Local governments.
Social Distancing during Contests/Events/Activities
● Sidelines/Bench – appropriate social distancing will need to be maintained on sidelines/bench during contests and events, as deemed necessary by the school, PIAA, state and local governments. Consider using tape or paint as a guide for students and coaches.
Who should be allowed at events?
Group people into tiers from essential to non-essential and decide which will be allowed at an event: 1.Tier 1 (Essential) – Athletes, coaches, officials, event staff, medical staff, security
2. Tier 2 (Preferred) – Media
3. Tier 3 (Non-essential) – Spectators, vendors
● Only Tier 1 and 2 personnel will be allowed to attend events until state/local governments lift restrictions on mass gatherings.
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● Changes to seating capacity and social distancing may be necessary for each venue facility andwill be determined as more recommendations are released by the local/state governments.
Overnight/Out of State Events/ Events in COVID-19 Hot Spots
● The JCSD will evaluate each event and follow all local/state government guidelines on a case by case basis. Every consideration will be taken as to not expose students to unnecessary or potential high risk exposure.
POSITIVE CASES AND COACHES, STAFF, OR ATHLETES SHOWING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The symptoms may range from mild to severe. (See CDC Fact Sheet in Appendix). Symptoms may include:
● Fever or chills (100.4 or High) ● Cough
● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ● Fatigue
● Muscle or body aches ● Headache
● New loss of taste or smell ● SoreThroat
● Congestion or runny nose ● Nausea or vomiting
● Diarrhea
What to do if you are sick?
● If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you are infected with the virus, STAY AT HOME. It is essential that you take steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home or community. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms,call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
● Notify the school immediately (principal, athletic director, athletic trainer, coach)
● It will be determined if others who may have been exposed (students, coaches, staff) need to benotified, isolated, and /or monitored for symptoms
● If a Positive case of COVID-19 is Diagnosed Contact Tracing will be implemented with the assistance of local health professionals and the CDC/PA DOH. See Information in Appendix.
What to do if a student or staff become ill with COVID-19 symptoms during practice, event, or duringtransportation to or from an event?
● Every effort will be made to isolate the ill individual from others, until the student or staff member can leave the school or event
● If student, parent/guardian will be contacted immediately, and arrangements will be made for thestudent to be picked up
● Ill individual will be asked to contact their physician or appropriate healthcare professional fordirection
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Return of student or staff to athletics following a COVID-19 diagnosis?
● Student or staff should have medical clearance from their physician or appropriate healthcare professional, determined to be non-contagious,
Fever free (without fever-reducing medicine), improvement in respiratory symptoms (cough,shortness of breath), no vomiting or diarrhea.
EDUCATION
Staff, Coaches, Parents and Athletes will be educated on the following (through posters, flyers,meetings, emails, phone calls):
● COVID-19 signs and symptoms
● Proper ways to limit exposure to COVID-19 (hand washing, cough in your elbow, disinfectingtouched surfaces, social distancing, avoid touching eyes, nose, face and mouth, no spitting, gum chewing, etc.)
● No Handshakes/Celebrations (high fives, fist/elbow bumps, chest bumps, hugging), etc. ● The content of this Return to Sport Guidelines Document
● Any pertinent COVID-19 information released by state/local governments, NFHS, and PIAA.● students should come dressed for activity
● Limit indoor activities and the areas used. Locker room use is not permitted Facility showers cannot be used
● Student Athletes should remain with their assigned groups during each workout and during dailyworkouts to limit the number of people they come in contact with.
● No students allowed in training areas without the presence of an athletic trainer
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APPENDIX
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Juniata County School District Athletic Department Athlete andStaff COVID-19 Screening
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________
Grade: _________ Sports: _______________________________________
Students/Coaches should self-report as deemed necessary prior to each practice/event.
Temperature may be taken from a designated trained individual as needed. The other symptoms should be marked as“N” – NO or “Y” Yes answers.
For the column - “Close Contact” - the answer should reflect the following question:
Within the past 14 days, have you had close contact with someone who is currently sick with suspected or confirmedCOVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for more than 10 consecutive minutes, without PPE equipment.)
If any responses are “YES”, students will NOT be allowed to practice or compete, and will be asked to leave school grounds. Temperatures at 100.4 or higher will be sent home. Parents/Guardians will be notified.
DATE | TEMP | Fever/ Chills | Cough | Sore Throat | Short of Breath | Loss Taste/ Smell | Vomiting Diarrhea | Close Contact *** |
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WHAT IS CONTACT TRACING?
BACKGROUND
Contact tracing is the process of reaching out
to anyone who came into close contact with an individual who is positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing helpsmonitor close contacts for symptoms and to determine if they need to be tested. Contact tracing is a keystrategy for preventing the further spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
WHAT DOES THIS PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
- In contact tracing, public health staff work with a case to help them recall everyone they have had close contact with during the time they were infectious.
- Public health staff then inform individuals who have had close contact (e.g. “close contacts”) thatthey have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. Close contacts are only told that they may havebeen exposed to someone who has COVID-19; they are not told who may have exposed them.
- Close contacts are given education, information and support so they understand their risk. They receive information on what they should do to separate themselves from others who have not been exposed, how to monitor themselves for illness, and are made aware that they could possibly spread the infection to others, even if they do not feel sick.
- Close contacts will be asked to quarantine themselves and are encouraged to stay home and maintain social distancing through the end of their infectious period, which is about 14 days, in casethey become sick. They should monitor themselves by checking their temperature twice a day andwatch for any other symptoms of COVID-19. Public health staff will check in with these contacts to make sure they are self-monitoring and have not developed symptoms.
- If a close contact develops symptoms, they should isolate themselves and let public health staff know. The close contact will be evaluated to see if they need medical care. A test may be necessary unless the individual is already in a household or long-term care facility with a confirmed case, then the closecontact would be considered a probable case without a test.
WHAT TERMS SHOULD I KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO CONTACT TRACING?
• A case is a patient who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. A case should isolate themselves,meaning they should stay away from other people who are not sick to avoid spreading the illness.
• A close contact is an individual who had close contact with a case while the case was infectious. A closecontact should quarantine themselves, meaning they should stay at home to limit community exposure and self-monitor for symptoms.
• A contact of a close contact is an individual who had or continues to have contact with a close contact. Acontact of a close contact should take all regular preventative actions, like washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning surfaces frequently. A contact of a close contact should be alert forsymptoms.
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RESOURCES:
NFHS: Guidance for Opening Up High School Athletics and Activities (per update on May 2020)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Website: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
“What You Should Know About COVID-19 to Protect Yourself and Others”, “Schools Decision Tree”
PA Department of Health Website:health.pa.gov “Coronavirus Symptoms”
“What is Contact Tracing”
“Phased Reopening Plan by Governor Wolf”
A Guide to Re-Entry to Athletics in Texas Secondary Schools
By Jamie Woodall, MPH, LAT, ATC, CPH and Josh Woodall Med, LAT, ATC
Guidance for All Sports Permitted to Operate During the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency toEnsure the Safety and Health of Employees, Athletes and the Public
https://www.governor.pa.gov/co...
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Industry. |
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