COVID 19 POLICY & SAFETY PLAN

 

Horseshoe Volleyball Club Health and Safety Plan

PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

For more information or questions related to the HVC Health and Safety Plan and/or athletics during COVID-19, please contact Ken Streilein at (814)935-1039 or k_streilein@yahoo.com.

 

Online Screening Links: Team Players Employees Parents/Spectators Developmental Clinic Players Jr High League

 

Registration for our Summer Clinics will open on 2/29!

 

 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, which 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, among others, has found that while children do get infected by COVID-19, relatively few children with COVID-19 are hospitalized. However, some severe outcomes have been reported in children, and a child with a mild or even asymptomatic case of COVID-19 can spread the infection to others who may be far more vulnerable. While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19, the current science suggests there are many steps schools can take to reduce the risks to students, coaches, and their families.

 

SPECTATORS AT PRACTICES

In previous years, there was no set limit to spectators who would like to attend practices.  However, due to the current conditions, spectators will be limited to one spectator per player.  All spectators will be required to wear a face covering the entire time while inside the building.  Spectators will also be subject to a temperature check upon entering the building.  If any spectator, coach, or player has a body temperature above 100.4oF, he/she will not be permitted to attend the practice or competition.  All spectators at practices must complete the on line COVID screening prior to entry into practice.

 

PRACTICE PROTOCOLS

1. Players must complete online COVID screening prior to practice.

2. Players should come to practice dressed to play.

3. Players are to use hand sanitizer upon entry to the building.

4. Players must wear a face covering at all times, other than when they are on the court and/or actively engaged in practice/competition.  Players are permitted to wear cloth/fabric face masks on the court if they wish.  Plastic face shields are not permitted to be worn on the court.

5. Coaches and athletes must maintain appropriate social distancing at all times, including on the court, benches, and workout areas. During down time, athletes and coaches should not congregate.

6. All athletes, coaches, and officials must bring their own water and drinks to team activities. Team water coolers for sharing through disposable cups are not allowed. Fixed water fountains may not be used.

7. Activities that increase the risk of exposure to saliva are not allowed including; spitting, licking fingers, etc.

8. Avoid shaking hands, fist bumps, or high fives before, during, or after games and practices. Limit unnecessary physical contact with teammates, other athletes, coaches, officials, etc. 

9. Players MUST bring their own water bottle. Water bottles must not be shared.

10. Hand Sanitizer should be used periodically, and players must sanitize hands immediately prior to any breaks.

11. Coaching staff and other adult personnel must wear face coverings (masks or face shields) at all times, unless doing so jeopardizes their health.

12. When not directly participating in practices or contests, social distancing should be considered and applied when able.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. When entering the armory, use the main entrance on the ground floor.  When leaving the armory, exit via the main floor exit.

2. Athletes and their parents/guardians must screen and monitor athletes no more than four hours prior to attending a practice or competition using the online screening tool.  If athletes show symptoms, have a body temperature of 100.4oF or higher or are sick, they must stay home 

3. Coaches must self-screen no more than four hours prior to a practice or competition using the online screening tool. If coaches show symptoms, have a body temperature of 100.4oF or higher or are sick, they must stay home. 

4. Coaches and athletic staff must screen and monitor athletes for symptoms prior to and during games and practices. If individuals participating in sporting activities show symptoms, have a body temperature of 100.4oF or higher, or are sick, they must be sent home. Every effort must be made to isolate the individual until they are able to leave. The symptomatic individual and anyone in close contact with the individual will be masked immediately, subject to any medical condition which impacts the individual’s ability to wear a mask.

 

RETURN OF ATHLETE OR COACH FOLLOWING A COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS OR EXPOSURE

1. Isolated athletes or coaches (those who have who have tested positive for COVID-19) must receive medical clearance, determining them to be non-contagious before returning to practice/play. Additionally, the athlete or staff should test negative for COVID-19 through two tests 24 hours apart; or, in the absence of testing, be fever free (without fever-reducing medicine) for at least 72 hours, should no longer be experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, should see improvement in respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath), and should have allowed at least 10 days to lapse since symptoms first appeared.

2. Quarantined athletes or coaches (those who have been exposed to a positive case) will not be permitted to practice or compete in competitions until they have been quarantined for 14 days following exposure.  However, quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring (per CDC, 12/2/20).

3. These guidelines may be adjusted if the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health revise their guidelines.

 

WHAT TO DO IF AN ATHLETE OR COACH BECOMES ILL WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS DURING PRACTICE OR COMPETITION

1. The symptomatic individual and anyone in close contact with the individual will be masked immediately, subject to any medical condition which impacts the individual’s ability to wear a mask.

2. Every effort will be made to isolate the ill individual from others, until the athlete or coach can leave the event. 

3. If not in attendance at the practice/competition, the parent/guardian will be contacted immediately, and arrangements will be made for the athlete to be picked up. 

4. Ill individuals will be asked to contact their physician or appropriate healthcare professional for direction. 

 

OUT-OF-STATE TRAVELING

 By orders of the Pa. Dept. of Health, revised on November 25, 2020, the Wolf administration is requiring that travelers over the age of 11 entering Pennsylvania from locations outside the Commonwealth, as well as Pennsylvanians who are returning home from locations outside the Commonwealth, produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or place themselves in quarantine for 10 days without testing or a 7-day quarantine with a negative test on or after day 5 of quarantine.

• This does NOT apply to:
  • Individuals traveling to and from the Commonwealth for the purposes of work.
  • Individuals who are returning to the Commonwealth after traveling outside the Commonwealth for less than 24 hours. 
  • Individuals traveling to and from the Commonwealth for medical reasons, including individuals providing comfort and support to a patient.

Pennsylvanians returning to the Commonwealth from a location outside the Commonwealth must get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth or after arriving in the Commonwealth. If an individual is unable to get a test, is waiting for test results, or chooses not to get a test, they must complete a travel quarantine for 10 days after entering the Commonwealth. If choosing to quarantine or if waiting for negative test results, individuals should stay in their travel destination for the full 10-day period or a 7-day quarantine with a negative test on or after day 5 of quarantine. 

 

FACILTY CLEANING

1. If multiple competitions are to be held at the same facility, adequate time shall be scheduled between contests to allow for facilities to be cleaned and disinfected, and to minimize interaction between athletes. 

2. Athletic facilities should be cleaned prior to arrival and post workouts and team gatherings, high touch areas should be cleaned more often.

3. Personal Protective Equipment (gloves & masks) must be available and used as situations warrant

 

EDUCATION

Coaches, parents and athletes will be educated on the following (through posters, flyers, meetings, emails, texts): 

? COVID-19 signs and symptoms 

? Proper ways to limit exposure to COVID-19 (hand washing, cough in your elbow, disinfecting touched surfaces, social distancing, avoid touching eyes, nose, face and mouth, no spitting, gum chewing, etc.) 

? Physical contact restrictions (no handshakes, high fives, fist bumps, chest bumps, hugs, etc.) 

? The content of this Health and Safety Plan 

? Any pertinent COVID-19 information released by state/local governments, AAU, USAV

? The importance of remaining with their assigned groups during each workout to limit the number of people in which they come in contact. 

? The need to come to practice dressed for activity.

 

 

This document may be modified at any time due to the changing nature of the current pandemic that exists.  When this plan is modified, parents and participants will be notified either via email or text.  

 

Date created: 11/27/20