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 GEDSB Sports Protocols for Team Play –
 Elementary Outdoor Sports

As we prepare to re-engage in Elementary school athletics, please ensure the directions below are followed for the health and safety of all.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation. This plan will be reviewed before each game and updated if necessary due to changes in Provincial COVID protocols or under the direction of the local Public Health Unit. Refer to the Ontario government’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date information.
 

COVID-19 Awareness

  • Individuals exhibiting COVID type symptoms shall not attend any athletic events. If any player is absent from school or is sent home during the school day due to any COVID related symptoms or class cohorts, they are not permitted to play that day. Return to play will be based on the school’s/Board’s return to school policies.
  • Players, coaches, volunteers and officials will be made aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 during initial practices.
  • Signage will be placed in conspicuous locations during games to educate all on the symptoms of COVID-19 and the precautions to take to prevent spread (see attached).
     

Screening

  • All players, coaches, officials, and volunteers must self-screen using the Ontario COVID-19 school screening tool prior to attending all outdoor sporting events. Self screening shall be completed prior to leaving home. Anyone who fails the screening MUST NOT attend and should isolate immediately and follow the guidance provided in the screening tool.
  • All Grand Erie Staff will complete the on line attestation form.
  • All participants, coaches, officials, and volunteers will complete an attestation upon arrival (done using the Grand Erie Sporting Events Contact Tracing and Self-Assessment Confirmation Form).

 

Contact Tracing

  • The person responsible for event (Convenor/Permit Holder) will ensure that contact tracing records are completed for all those involved.
  • For participants (including all coaches and team volunteers) that contact list will be the responsibility of the team coach. Records will include the name of each player taking part, their contact number, parent name and contact email.
  • For officials on site, a Grand Erie Sporting Events Contact Tracing and Self-Assessment Confirmation Form (see QR Code below) will be used to record the necessary information. This will be posted in conspicuous locations at entrance to the event site.
  • Contact tracing records (for players and coaches) will be maintained by the event convenor for a period of 30 days and will be kept confidential and only submitted to the local PHU upon their request.

 

COVID-19 Case or Exposure

  • Any player found to have a positive COVID-19 test and have potentially exposed other participants on that team to the virus will cause the school team to be immediately shut down. Return to that sport will be at the direction of their school/school board.
  • In the event that any coach, official, or organizer is made aware of a positive or probable COVID-19 case that may have exposed players or others they will immediately notify the school Administrators for each team. School administrators will follow their board outbreak protocol for steps in contact training notification and communication.
  • Convenors will make available all contact tracing records related to the exposure timeframe to the PHU handling the COVID case.

 

Disinfection and Hygiene

  • All COVID-19 protocols will be followed in relation to disinfection and hygiene.
  • Alcohol based hand rub will be available at the entry to the event.
  • Alcohol based hand rub will be available for participants before and after they play/run.
  • Players, coaches and officials will ensure hand hygiene is performed frequently through play (entering and exiting playing field). Volunteer drivers will be encouraged to hand sanitize upon entry to seating area.
     

Masking

  • Players, Coaches and Officials will follow school masking protocols (see below for more information).
  • Volunteer drivers will be required to wear a face covering when outside on school property and when seated. Masks will be worn by all volunteer drivers for entire duration indoors.
  • Coaches must wear mask and eye protection unless 2 metres of distance is maintained from players and participants.
     

Physical Distancing

  • Physical distancing must be encouraged.
  • Signage encouraging physical distancing will be placed in conspicuous locations.
  • Player benches:
    • Physical distance between players on the same team while on the bench/sidelines will be encouraged.
    • A minimum of 2 metres of distance will be maintained between teams on benches and the sidelines.
       

Transportation

  • All current transportation protocols must be followed.
  • Volunteer drivers must be fully vaccinated. They should provide proof of vaccination to office staff at the school for which they are volunteering. Volunteer drivers must wear a mask while in the vehicle, open the windows to the greatest extent possible, set their AC to “Fresh Air” setting, and distance passengers in the vehicle as much as possible.
  • On buses, masking and a seating plan must be in place to be used for the purposes of contact tracing. Maintain distance as much as possible.
  • Waiting teams are asked to remain outside near their bus if possible, or in the bus if weather requires shelter.

 

Protocols for Outdoor Sports:

  • Participants to arrive no earlier than 25 minutes prior to start time to avoid congregating. No Loitering!
    • Exception: When 2 teams must share a bus for transportation to the game, both teams cannot arrive 25 minutes prior to the game. This will be based on an individual school basis, as not all schools use bus transportation.
  • All individuals must wear masks while entering and exiting the playing area.
  • Players do not need to wear masks on the sidelines or on the field during game play.
  • Personal water bottles are to be used by all players.
  • Hand hygiene is to be practiced prior to, during and after participation. Hand sanitizers will be available on the court or field for use when players go on and off court.
  • Coaches and other coaching staff are to ensure equipment is to be cleaned/sanitized during breaks in game play where possible (e.g. timeouts, halftime) and upon completion. (e.g. soccer balls, baseball bats, etc.)
  • See below for change room use.

 

Spectators

The only spectators present should be those who volunteered as drivers.

  • In the case of a facility that does not have a designated area for volunteer drivers, the volunteer drivers in the outdoor area of the facility at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, maintaining a 2m distance between everyone.
  • Every volunteer driver must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
  • Each school must have someone responsible for encouraging social distancing and wearing masks.

 

Use of School Change rooms for outdoor sports

Note: For events occurring at other (non-school) facilities the use of changerooms will follow the rules of the permit location.

  • Visiting teams are encouraged to come to games prepared in game gear where possible.
  • Masks to be worn in changerooms.
  • Maximum capacity limits to be posted and adhered to in changerooms with 2m distancing between individuals.
  • Changerooms to be disinfected between different teams/games (be aware of school board/school direction related to use of change rooms). All teams are responsible for bringing their own warmup up equipment (e.g. balls) and ensure it is disinfected before and after use.


 

A Grand Erie Sporting Events Contact Tracing and Self Assessment Confirmation

This form is to be used at all GEDSB intermural/intramural sporting events and tournaments for contact tracing, and verification of self assessment.

If you have ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, YOU MUST NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY/FACILITY.

This information is being obtained for the sole purpose of contact tracing if we are made aware of a possible COVID-19 exposure. This information will be held secure and will only be provided to a Public Health Unit when requested.

For household members attending together only one name and contact is required and they will be responsible for attesting that all those attending have passed the self screening and for notifying their party in the event of any exposure.

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