Return to Play & Competition Protocol

General Guidelines:

·      Stay at least 6 feet from other people.

·      Stay home if you feel sick and contact your health care provider.

·      Avoid touching your face.

·      Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Throw used    
       tissues in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.

·      Avoid contact with other individuals (shaking hands, for example).

·      Use hand sanitizer or soap and water (when available) often.

Prior to Arriving: 

·      It is recommended that players from different households do not drive/carpool together.

·      Daily Health Screening - each player and coach should check his/her temperature at home, and refrain from
       participation if he or she has a fever (≥100.4 degrees F).

o   He/she is not currently demonstrating or suffering from any ill symptoms (see Appendix A).

o   He/she has not had a suspected or documented case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days. 

o   He/she has not had any close contact with a sick individual or anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19
     (see Appendix C).

·      Any player that does not meet the above criteria should be restricted from participation and sent home.

At the Field for Training and Games;

·      Total attendance is limited to 250 people per field.

·      Any team pre- and post-match handshakes should not occur.

·      Player’s equipment should be spread appropriately out so during breaks players remain at least 10 feet apart.

·      Must sanitize hands upon arriving to the field.

·      Handshakes or contact in substitutions should be avoided.

·      Celebrations should not contain physical contact.

·      Avoid touching soccer balls with their uncovered-hands.

·      Appropriate physical distancing should occur between players and coaches at all times.  If physical distancing cannot
       be accomplished the coach shall wear a face covering when communicating with the player.

·      Players on the sideline/bench should remain physically distanced (6 feet minimum) at all times.

·      Teams should not congregate, post-training or post-game and debriefs should be kept to a minimum.

·      All attendees should maintain physical distancing guidelines after the practice or when the game is completed.

·  PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF PLAYERS and PLAYERS THAT DRIVE TO THE FIELD - If thunderstorms
or other inclement weather is in the area at the time of training or games, please stay in the parking lot to find shelter
in your car if needed.

·      Only coaches should handle practice equipment (disc, cones, etc.)

Reporting of Positive or Suspected Positive COVID-19 Infection:

·      Any individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should notify their respective clubs immediately.  Contact Person –
       Cory Carroll, Director of Soccer 540-353-3907 or email at [email protected]

Equipment:

·      Players and coaches should bring their own equipment (hand sanitizer, water bottle, ball, etc.) that should not be
shared between individuals.

·      Pinnies” shall be individually distributed to each player and used by that player for the training session, and washed in between each team contact.  

·      Balls should not be handled with their hands, by any player, with the exception of the goalkeeper with gloves on.

·      During cold weather players should not “bundle-up” together on the bench in blankets as appropriate physical
       distancing cannot be maintained.

Spectators:

·      Everyone is expected to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing (into the nape of the elbow).

·      Anyone feeling sick should leave the facility immediately, go home and if needed, seek medical guidance from a
       healthcare provider.

·      Avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with their hands whenever possible.

·      It is strongly recommended that people over the age of 65 and/or people with pre-existing conditions do not attend.

·      Virginia Department of Health recommends wearing a cloth face mask at all times in public settings whether indoor or
       outdoor.

APPENDIX A - SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INFECTION

Individuals with COVID-19 can exhibit symptoms ranging from the following:

The most common symptoms associated with infection include:

·      Fever ( ≥100.4 degrees F)

·      Cough

·      Shortness of breath

Less common symptoms that may still be evidence of COVID-19 infection include:

      ·      Sore throat

      ·      Congestion

      ·      Nausea and vomiting

      ·      Diarrhea

      ·      Headache

      ·      Muscle / joint pain

      ·      Sudden loss of taste or smell

      ·      Chills

Note: Some people do not have symptoms, or have very mild symptoms. Persons with COVID-19 may be infectious two days prior to symptom onset