Returning to Play Guidelines

Vaccination

When you are fully vaccinated, you can start to engage in activities you once did, albeit with a few additional protection strategies. Vaccines will help us move closer to mitigating the pandemic, but if you are not fully vaccinated, you still need to use all the tools we have available to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Vaccination adds an important layer of protection for you, your family, and your loved ones. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough, and no one tool alone is going to stop the pandemic. The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection against COVID-19.

While experts learn more about how COVID-19 vaccination may help reduce spread of the disease in communities, it is important for everyone to continue to follow CDC’s recommendations. CDC will continue to update these recommendations using the latest science to protect communities.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, visit the CDC’s FAQs webpage.

Wear a mask

If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places in places with elevated transmission rates.

In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated. Children and referees in play may wear a mask if so desired or as required by a local mandate.

People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

If you are carpooling with others from outside your household, we recommend you follow the CDC’s Order on public transportation, which requires all passengers and drivers to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Learn more here.

Physical Distancing

The CDC has changed their recommendations on physical distancing but it is recommended if a spectator is immunocompromised that, they are mindful of mixing with others outside of their household in crowded settings.

• Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people.
• Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Hand washing and Respiratory Etiquette

People should practice hand washing and respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes) to keep from getting and spreading infectious illnesses including COVID-19.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• It’s especially important to wash your hands:
  • Before and after practice and games
  • After handling soccer equipment
  • After using the restroom
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After handling your mask
  • Before eating
  • Before touching your face

If you are wearing a mask: You can  cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.

If you are not wearing a mask: Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit. Throw used tissues in the trash.

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean and disinfect

Clean and disinfect all equipment after practice and games, this includes, balls, cones, pinnies, ladders, etc. Use a household disinfectant product from EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for COVID-19
 according to manufacturer’s labeled directions.

If surfaces are dirty, clean them using soap and water prior to disinfection.

Monitor your health daily

Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. We recommend that you use the daily screening questions to self-check before going to practice and/or games.

Players and volunteers who have symptoms of infectious illness, such as influenza (flu) or COVID-19, should stay home and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care, regardless of vaccination status. If any family members of players and volunteers show symptoms, then the players and/or volunteers in their household should stay home as well as a precaution.

Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Staying home when sick with COVID-19 is essential to keep COVID-19 infections out of our AYSO programs and prevent spread to others.

Region/Club:

• Work with public health officials to notify adult leaders, youth and their families if the organization becomes aware of a participant developing COVID-19 who came in contact with others during your activities. Please click here for recommended reporting protocol.
• Maintain participant confidentiality regarding health status.
• Sanction practices only when official parks and fields become available by local authority.
• Provide coaches with a detailed explanation and training on these recommendations.
• If someone is exposed to COVID-19 it is recommended that they wear a mask for 5 days and test on day 5 if not exhibiting symptoms. If exhibiting symptoms, you need to isolate until symptoms subside and wear a mask around others even if symptoms subside until you reach the 10-day mark from the first positive day.
• Adhere to AYSO Safe Haven guidelines, i.e., 1:8 adult to child ratio; minimum of 2 adults present; no adult alone with children other than their own. Whenever possible, adult of same gender as players should be present.
• If necessary, support coaches with fitness and technique in isolation exercises, grid work and spatial awareness (suggested content can be found here).
• If necessary, provide physical guides, such as signs and tape on playing fields, to help coaches and players remain at least 6 feet apart. You can find print ready signs here.
• Be sensitive and accommodating to parents who may be uncomfortable with returning to play at this time.
• Communicate drop off, waiting and pick up protocols for parents.
• Create a communication plan for Region/Club to members and a communication pathway for parents to communicate their concerns or questions with Region/Club leadership (i.e.: BAND app).

Coach*:

• Coaches will send pre-training communication to families ensuring that only healthy participants attend and reiterate expectations and guidelines.
• Coaches should maintain physical distancing requirements from players and family members.
• If exposed to COVID-19 it is recommended that you wear a mask for 5 days and test on day 5 if not exhibiting symptoms. If exhibiting symptoms, you need to isolate until symptoms subside and wear a mask around others even if symptoms subside until you reach the 10-day mark from the first positive day.
• If necessary, utilize technique in isolation exercises, grid work, fitness and spatial awareness to limit physical contact between players (suggested content can be found here).
• Adhere to AYSO Safe Haven guidelines, i.e., 1:8 adult to child ratio; minimum of 2 adults present; no adult alone with children other than their own. Whenever possible, adult of same gender as players should be present.
• Ensure all players have and handle their own labeled equipment (ball, water bottle, training disks, etc.).
• It is recommended that the coach(s) should be the only persons handling coaching equipment (e.g.: cones, disks, etc.); do not let parents or attendees assist.
• Hand sanitizer or hand-washing is recommended before and after training sessions.
• It is not recommended to share equipment in use but if necessary, please make sure to clean after training (players will be provided with individual bibs/pinnies or can bring game jerseys as requested).
• Stay positive and create a fun environment in this new normal.
• Serve as focal point, or designate the Team Parent/Manager/Safety Director/CVPA, for notification from team families if a family member becomes ill with COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or comes in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Complete and submit AYSO’s Incident Report Form to the Region Safety Director immediately, including team roster.

*A designated volunteer or team parent can be added to help assist coach in accordance with the same health and safety guidance designated for the coach.

 Team Parent:

• Assist Coach, as requested, with communications to families (including safeguard reminders, i.e., only healthy participants attend activities).
• As needed and if required, can be a candidate to serve as focal point for notification from team families if a family member becomes ill with COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or comes in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Notify the Coach immediately.
• If exposed to COVID-19 it is recommended that you wear a mask for 5 days and test on day 5 if not exhibiting symptoms. If exhibiting symptoms, you need to isolate until symptoms subside and wear a mask around others even if symptoms subside until you reach the 10-day mark from the first positive day.
• Assist with hand sanitizer or other safety precautions like hand-washing on arrival / mid-way and end of training session in support of the coach.
• Help team/teams adhere to AYSO Safe Haven supervision guidelines.

Officials:

At all times:

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Spitting or rinsing the mouth with water is to be avoided.
• Cough into elbow.
• Stay home if not feeling well and communicate to the Referee Administrator.

Pre-game:

• Prior to arrival, wash hands with soap or alcohol-based solution for at least 20 seconds.
• Arrival in full uniform is recommended.
• If desired, masks can be worn during pre-game duties.
• No handshakes with coaches, players, or spectators.

During play:

• Masks are not required for center referees during active play, unless required by your local jurisdictions.
• Avoid spitting.
• Cough into your elbow.
• Do not share whistles or, if possible, any other referee equipment.
• If not feeling well during the game at any time, go home immediately.
• Keep the game flowing to limit groups of players congregating, i.e., set plays.

Post-game:

• After the game, applaud the players and coaches; fist bumps/elbow bumps are recommended more so than handshakes.
• If shared, wipe down the handles of flags with an alcohol-based rub or wash with soap and water.
• Upon completion of the match, wash hands with soap or alcohol-based solution for at least 20 seconds.

Parents

• Ensure your child is healthy. Please go through health screening questions before each practice and game.
• Notify your team/club immediately if your child or family member becomes ill for any reason.
• Drop off and pick up players with special care given to the presence of children coming to and from the activity and receive verbal acknowledgement from the coach each time.
• Limit the use of carpools or van pools, and limit passengers to household members.
• If exposed to COVID-19 it is recommended that you wear a mask for 5 days and test on day 5 if not exhibiting symptoms. If exhibiting symptoms, you need to isolate until symptoms subside and wear a mask around others even if symptoms subside until you reach the 10-day mark from the first positive day.
• Wash your child’s clothing after every training/activity (recommendation).
• Sanitize all equipment (ball, cleats, shin guards, etc.) before and after every practice.
• Clearly label your child’s water bottle and personal items.
• Ensure your child has hand sanitizing products with them at every session.
• Do not assist coach with equipment before or after training.
• Check Region/Club and Coach communication regularly.

Players

• Inform parent if feeling unwell.
• Wash hands before and after training.
• Responsible for cleaning all required equipment after each training sessions (ball, cleats, shin guards, etc.).
• Bring and use your own labeled hand sanitizer at every session.
• Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment.
• Do not share drinks with other players, players should bring and mark their own water bottles.