Covid Safety and Protocols
Current Protocols from the Roots League's COVID Safety Officer, Jeff Heinze
Game Modifications - As of this moment, the game modifications that were implemented last Fall have been lifted. Players are permitted to do throw-ins from the touchline, traditional corner kicks, heading (as appropriate) and challenge for the ball. The game is to be played the way it is meant to be. Please note that even though MIAA will continue to have game modifications for Fall 2 sports this Spring, those modifications will not apply to youth sports. The only requirement that remains in effect at this time is the wearing of a facemask, which is addressed on this list. Additionally, coaches need to continue to make efforts to maintain physical distancing as appropriate during team activities.
Team Competitions - While teams are encouraged to play just one game a day against one opponent, teams are permitted to play up to 2 games against 2 different teams in a single day so long as the games are back to back, the venue has multiple fields to allow teams to distance between games and there is enough space to transition between games and no team is waiting for their second game. Teams are permitted a limited break between games. At this time, tournaments are still not permitted.
Spectators - The number of spectators has been increased to 2 per player and siblings are permitted and do not count towards the 2 spectators; however, spectators are traditionally defined as individuals over 18 years of age. Clubs and facilities need to access their space to assure that they can accommodate the necessary number of spectators noted above while maintaining social distance (6 feet) between family groups. As with players, spectators are expected to wear face coverings at all times while they are at the field. Clubs and event organizers reserve the right to further limit capacity if necessary based on their own situation/space.
Face Coverings (Masks) - Players, Coaches, Officials, Team Officials, Spectators and others at the field are required to wear face masks at all times when they are at the field. While there are no specific outlines for adults or non-players, all players must wear ear loop styled medical or cloth masks. Neck gaiters, string tie or any other style of mask that does not have behind the ear loops is not permissible. As noted, face masks must be worn at all times approaching, leaving and playing at the field. Players are permitted to take mask breaks during play so long as they are at least 6 feet away from all other players and not engaged in active play. Facemasks with mesh or vent valves are not permissible.
Attendance - Teams need to continue to maintain attendance for all practices, scrimmages, games or other team events. In the case of potential exposure, the information will be necessary for contact tracing. Attendance is to be maintained for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at the field and at team activities/events.
Playing Surfaces - The restriction to no more than 25 players on a playing surface has been lifted, but precautions still need to be implemented to ensure adequate spacing during team activities.
Travel - it is recommended that only players/individuals from the same household travel in the same vehicle, but in the event that the transportation of non-household members is necessary, all individuals in the vehicle should be masked and windows should be open to enhance cross ventilation.
Out of State - At this moment, Massachusetts Teams are not permitted to engage in play, practices, scrimmages or other team activities with out of state teams. If a team violates this standard, the team, the Club and the League that they are playing in may be sanctioned by the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). The sanction may include forbidding the team, Club and/or League from engaging in MYSA sanctioned games, activities or other events.
Teams with Out of State Players - In circumstances where a Massachusetts based team has players on their roster who reside out of state, the player must abide by the current Massachusetts Travel Advisory.
COVID-19 Exposure - Although only 81 soccer players in the Commonwealth experienced an exposure last Fall and there were no cases of transmission during soccer activities, it is essential that Clubs are aware of the reporting protocol in the event any of their players experience an exposure. If any players are made aware that they had an exposure or if the player is diagnosed with COVID-19, the player's parent must notify their Club's COVID Safety Officer (CSO) and Club President immediately upon being informed of an exposure/positive test. The parent will need to provide the following details to the CSO - when was the player exposed/positive, when did the player first develop symptoms, if at all and when was the last time the player was with the team? The Club's CSO will then notify the local Board of Health and the League COVID Safety Officer. The Club CSO will then take direction from the local Board of Health and notify Tamie Endow, MYSA COVID Safety Officer.
COVID-19 Positive Player - If a player has tested positive for COVID-19, the player's MD or local Board of Health must provide a note releasing the player to play. Players should initiate a gradual return to play if they have symptoms. There are other requirements regarding players who tested positive, but it is ultimately up to the player's physician to release the player to engage in any team activities.
Many of the other safety guidelines/recommendations for Clubs remain in place for the Spring Season (CSO appointment, no sharing of equipment, etc). Documents and waivers are available below:
Team Competitions - While teams are encouraged to play just one game a day against one opponent, teams are permitted to play up to 2 games against 2 different teams in a single day so long as the games are back to back, the venue has multiple fields to allow teams to distance between games and there is enough space to transition between games and no team is waiting for their second game. Teams are permitted a limited break between games. At this time, tournaments are still not permitted.
Spectators - The number of spectators has been increased to 2 per player and siblings are permitted and do not count towards the 2 spectators; however, spectators are traditionally defined as individuals over 18 years of age. Clubs and facilities need to access their space to assure that they can accommodate the necessary number of spectators noted above while maintaining social distance (6 feet) between family groups. As with players, spectators are expected to wear face coverings at all times while they are at the field. Clubs and event organizers reserve the right to further limit capacity if necessary based on their own situation/space.
Face Coverings (Masks) - Players, Coaches, Officials, Team Officials, Spectators and others at the field are required to wear face masks at all times when they are at the field. While there are no specific outlines for adults or non-players, all players must wear ear loop styled medical or cloth masks. Neck gaiters, string tie or any other style of mask that does not have behind the ear loops is not permissible. As noted, face masks must be worn at all times approaching, leaving and playing at the field. Players are permitted to take mask breaks during play so long as they are at least 6 feet away from all other players and not engaged in active play. Facemasks with mesh or vent valves are not permissible.
Attendance - Teams need to continue to maintain attendance for all practices, scrimmages, games or other team events. In the case of potential exposure, the information will be necessary for contact tracing. Attendance is to be maintained for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at the field and at team activities/events.
Playing Surfaces - The restriction to no more than 25 players on a playing surface has been lifted, but precautions still need to be implemented to ensure adequate spacing during team activities.
Travel - it is recommended that only players/individuals from the same household travel in the same vehicle, but in the event that the transportation of non-household members is necessary, all individuals in the vehicle should be masked and windows should be open to enhance cross ventilation.
Out of State - At this moment, Massachusetts Teams are not permitted to engage in play, practices, scrimmages or other team activities with out of state teams. If a team violates this standard, the team, the Club and the League that they are playing in may be sanctioned by the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). The sanction may include forbidding the team, Club and/or League from engaging in MYSA sanctioned games, activities or other events.
Teams with Out of State Players - In circumstances where a Massachusetts based team has players on their roster who reside out of state, the player must abide by the current Massachusetts Travel Advisory.
COVID-19 Exposure - Although only 81 soccer players in the Commonwealth experienced an exposure last Fall and there were no cases of transmission during soccer activities, it is essential that Clubs are aware of the reporting protocol in the event any of their players experience an exposure. If any players are made aware that they had an exposure or if the player is diagnosed with COVID-19, the player's parent must notify their Club's COVID Safety Officer (CSO) and Club President immediately upon being informed of an exposure/positive test. The parent will need to provide the following details to the CSO - when was the player exposed/positive, when did the player first develop symptoms, if at all and when was the last time the player was with the team? The Club's CSO will then notify the local Board of Health and the League COVID Safety Officer. The Club CSO will then take direction from the local Board of Health and notify Tamie Endow, MYSA COVID Safety Officer.
COVID-19 Positive Player - If a player has tested positive for COVID-19, the player's MD or local Board of Health must provide a note releasing the player to play. Players should initiate a gradual return to play if they have symptoms. There are other requirements regarding players who tested positive, but it is ultimately up to the player's physician to release the player to engage in any team activities.
Many of the other safety guidelines/recommendations for Clubs remain in place for the Spring Season (CSO appointment, no sharing of equipment, etc). Documents and waivers are available below:
Weighing the risk of play is a personal decision, but for information relating to youth sports, please confer with your local Board of Health and your health care provider. Also, the following resources may be helpful:
|
