COVID-19 Protocols – Athletics

 

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COVID-19 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES

INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS (ALL GRADE LEVELS)

Last Updated September 7, 2021

Spectators:

  • No spectators will be allowed at this time, so that the focus will be on student athletes.
  • One representative per media outlet is permitted to attend inter-school games.  The representative must confirm COVID-19 self-screening upon arrival, be COVID-19 symptom free, sign-in for contact tracing, and follow all mask and eye protection expectations as outlined for coaches and team officials above.  Video streaming of games is not permitted.

Overall:

  • All current guidelines will be shared with all student athletes, team officials, game officials, and parents/guardians prior to the commencement of a sport’s season. Updates will be shared as needed.
  • Prior to the start of any season or pre-season training camp, the Principal or VP and Athletic Director will meet with the Head Coach and all coaching staff and team officials, to review the COVID-19 Operation Guidelines for Inter-School Athletics.
  • Any student athlete who does not comply with current and updated guidelines will be subject to removal from the team.
  • Any participant in athletics (e.g. student athletes, team officials, student volunteers, game officials), must not participate in any team activities, including games and practices, if they have any symptoms upon screening, or are sick.
  • In the event that a student athlete, team official, game official or student volunteer contracts COVID-19, direction from the local health unit (e.g. APH, PHSD, PHU) will be followed.
  • The use of gymnasiums, swimming pools, change rooms, weight rooms, indoor equipment and shared outdoor equipment are permitted with distancing.
  • Appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be reinforced with all student athletes, team officials, game officials and student volunteers.
  • Cleaning of shared indoor and outdoor equipment, and indoor spaces will occur as per HSCDSB’s Enhanced Cleaning Measures.

Screening:

  • All student athletes and team officials (e.g. coaches, trainers etc.), including Board personnel and community/parent volunteers must successfully complete the COVID self-assessment (COVID-19 School & Child Care Screening: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/ ) and be symptom free prior to attending any try-outs, team meetings, workouts, practices, or competitions. Screening will be confirmed upon arrival.
  • All game officials and student volunteers (e.g. score keepers, gatekeepers etc) will successfully complete the COVID self-assessment and be symptom free prior to attending any inter-school athletic events. Screening will be confirmed upon arrival.
  • All student athletes, team officials, game officials and student volunteers must follow direction provided after completing the COVID self-assessment.
  • A designated space (e.g. isolation room or outdoor space) will be set-up to ensure any student/adult who develops symptoms during any team-related activity is separated from all other attendees, so that they are isolated before they leave and seek medical advice. This space will be stocked with appropriate PPE, masks, gowns, gloves and goggles/face shields for the ill person and anyone who is waiting with them.
  • Student athletes and team officials will immediately notify the Head Coach if COVID symptoms arise during a team activity.  Upon notification, the student shall be moved away from other students and coaches to the designated space where the student can self-isolate while waiting to be picked up by a parent/guardian.  Parents/guardians will be called immediately.

Contact Tracing:

  • A record will be kept of all student athletes, team officials, game officials and student volunteers who are in attendance at any try-outs, team meetings, workouts, practices, competitions or any other inter-school athletics related events. This record must be readily available to the Principal/Vice-Principal at all times and be available to local public health officials as needed.  Records shall be kept for at least 30 days for contract tracing purposes.
  • At competitions and games, the Head Coach of each school team will keep their own team record of attending student athletes and team officials. The record of attending game officials will be submitted to the Head Coach of the host school for storage.
  • Immunization is strongly recommended by health units. Unvaccinated students may experience longer periods out of sports activities, including practices and games, if there is a case or outbreak.

Masking:

  • For all sports, masking is required indoors prior to any try-outs, practices or competitions (e.g. upon entry to a venue/school, use of change room etc).
  • For students:
    • Masking is not required for high and low contact sports that are played outdoors.
    • Masking is required outdoors when students are not actively engaged in physical activity and cannot maintain 2 m distancing from other students.
    • High and low-contact sports are permitted indoors. Masking is encouraged for indoor sports where they can be worn safely based on the activity.  Students not actively engaged in physical activity while indoors (e.g. waiting on the bench) will wear a mask.
    • Windows are to be open when feasible to increase ventilation.
  • When indoors, coaches and other team officials will wear medical masks at all times. In addition when indoors, coaches and team officials will wear eye protection if they are within 2 m of an unmasked individual (student or adult).
  • When outdoors, coaches and other team officials are required to wear a medical mask if they are within 2 m of any individual (student or adult).  In addition, when outdoors coaches and team officials will wear eye protection if they are within 2 m of an unmasked individual (student or adult).  Note:  While risk of transmission is lower outdoors, the risk is not eliminated and wearing a mask reduces chances of being a high risk contact.

Additional COVID Measures:

  • All student athletes and team officials will complete hand sanitizing on arrival and after breaks, practice physical distancing, and avoid any unnecessary touching with others (e.g. high fives, hand shaking after games).
  • All student athletes will bring their own water bottle(s) labelled with their names.
  • Each school will develop a plan to ensure that risks are minimized when teams are using changerooms and showers. Risks may be limited by:
    • Where possible, having student athletes arrive dressed and ready to start.
    • Scheduling students to limit the number of people in the changeroom/shower at any one time.
    • Ensure physical distancing for those using the changeroom/shower.
    • Ensuring all student athletes where a mask when using the changeroom.
    • Ensuring there is time between games to allow for cleaning of high touch surfaces prior to another team utilizing the space.
  • When more than one game is being played in the same day at one site (e.g. Junior and Senior games back to back), each school site or facility (e.g. Turf Field) will develop entrance and exit plans for their facilities to minimize contact between the outgoing and incoming teams.
  • Equipment distribution will be organized and scheduled to allow for limited numbers, distancing and direction for proper equipment sanitization protocol.
  • A designated space (e.g. isolation room or outdoor space) will be set-up to ensure any student/adult who develops symptoms during any team-related activity is separated from all other attendees, so that they are isolated before they leave and seek medical advice.
  • Student athletes and team officials will contact the Head Coach/school immediately if they test positive for COVID.

Immunization Disclosure – Team Officials:

As announced on August 17, 2021, the Government of Ontario is implementing an immunization disclosure policy for all publicly funded school board employees and other individuals regularly in these settings, including volunteers, for the 2021-2022 school year.

  • By September 7, 2021, individuals covered by this policy, including employees and volunteers, are expected to submit a formal attestation using a form provided by the Board if they are “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination (e.g. upload or provide vaccination receipt(s)).
  • Regular rapid antigen testing will be required for those not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additional information is forthcoming.
  • Individuals who do not intend to be vaccinated, without a documented medical reason, will be required to participate in an educational session about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof to the Board that this session has been completed. Additional information is forthcoming.

Bus Transportation: (partially based on School Transportation section, page 14)

  • Buses may operate at full capacity.
  • The seat behind the driver shall remain empty to maintain physical distancing between the driver and students/team officials.
  • Windows are to be opened when feasible to increase ventilation.
  • Students are required to wear non-medical masks.
  • Team officials are required to wear medical masks.
  • Everyone will be assigned seats and a record of the seating plan will be kept to assist with contact tracing in the case of someone on the bus contracting COVID-19.

Day Trips and Overnight Stays: (based partially on Field Trips, page 20)

  • All day trips and overnight stays will be subject to current provincial and local public health guidelines and are subject to Board approval.
  • In consultation with school administration, the Head Coach will review current restrictions and guidelines in each public health unit prior to final approval for travel.
  • Subject to current public health guidelines, day trips and overnight stays are permitted for regular league play, league championships (e.g. NSSSAA, SSMAA), regional league championships (e.g. NWOSSSA, NOSSA), and provincial championships (e.g. OFSAA).
  • All student athletes and team officials must self-screen prior to arrival at either the central bus pick-up point or event (where self-transportation is provided). During overnight stays, all student athletes and team officials will continue to self-screen every morning.
  • To assist with contact tracing, accurate records must be maintained of all student athletes and team officials in attendance at any games/competitions, practices or other team events (e.g. off-site meals), and must be kept on file for one month, and made readily available to health units upon request.
  • Distancing, masking and bus transportation guidelines as listed above must continue to be followed.
  • For the time being, to minimize potential exposure, day trip and overnight stays for other voluntary sports tournaments, meets or games will be prohibited.