EBBCLA- Return to Play Protocol
Phase II: Youth Sports Guidelines
Beginning on June 1, 2020, Summer Youth Sports organizations may begin resuming limited activities in accordance with the guidelines established below. In accordance with Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) emergency regulations, organizations should refer to and adhere to the Reopening RI General Business/Organization Guidelines and the RIDOH emergency regulations. The State prepared a fillable checklist to assist businesses and organizations meet the requirements outlined in these RIDOH regulations.- EBBCLA will carefully review and will adhere to Reopening RI General Business/Organization Guidelines and the RIDOH emergency regulations.
Summer Youth Sports organizations must comply with RIDOH regulations and active executive orders. Summer Youth Sports organizations should refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on youth sports and guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities. In addition, Summer Youth Sports organizations offering summer camps are subject to the State’s Summer Camp Regulations and guidance.
The guidelines below summarize additional steps Rhode Island is asking Summer Youth Sports organizations to take during Phase II.
Stable groups: Participants are required to be organized in “stable groups” of a maximum of 15 people. The term “stable groups” means the same individuals, including children, staff and any adult leaders, remain in the same group over the course of the entire program. Children shall not change from one group to another, and groups should occupy the same physical space. Parents and caregivers should choose one stable group for their child per season. EBBCLA has developed a summer practice schedule that is limited to stable groups of 15 per practice session, along with drills that promote social distancing.
Physical distancing: Physical distancing is encouraged, but not required within each stable group; however, activities where at least six feet of distance can be maintained are encouraged and 14 feet of distance is preferred. When not engaged in active play, members of a stable group should maintain physical distance of six feet between each person. – EBBCLA has mapped out a series of lacrosse drills and practice plans that require physical distancing at all times. This information will be shared with all EBBCLA coaches.
Space between stable groups: Stable groups are required to maintain a minimum of 14 feet between the outer limit of their group play and any other stable group or passersby. – EBBCLA field diagrams and practice plans will ensure this policy is met.
Quarantine: All out-of-state participants in Summer Youth Sports should be advised of and adhere to any executive orders regarding the need to quarantine prior to participation in Summer Youth Sports.- EBBCLA does not have any out-of-state participants in our program, as we are a town league. We will not play against any other towns or leagues until given permission to do so by the State of RI.
Screening: Screen adult leaders and youth participants prior to the activity for any symptoms of COVID-19. Any person exhibiting signs of illness or who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 must be excluded from the activity in accordance with CDC and RI Department of Health guidelines.- EBBCLA is prepared to conduct screening checks prior to the start of each practice session. Prior to arrival at practice, parents will be asked to take their child’s temperature to report upon arrival. Any player exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who has a known exposure to anyone with COVID-19 is asked to not attend practice.
Hand cleaning: Teach and reinforce handwashing with children engaged in sports activities. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol may be used. Handwashing and/or sanitizing should occur before, during, and after Summer Youth Sports activities.- Players will be required to bring their own hand sanitizer to every practice. Hand sanitizer will also be distributed to each coach with instructions that hand sanitizers be used before and after each practice.
Facilities: Close shared spaces, such as locker rooms, if possible. Otherwise, stagger use and clean and disinfect between uses. For any facilities in use, a cleaning schedule must be implemented to ensure the frequent cleaning of high-touch areas or equipment, daily cleaning, and a cleaning and disinfection between sessions. This may include cleaning frequently touched surfaces on the field, court, or play surface at least daily, or between uses by different stable groups. Find guidance on cleaning and disinfection at CDC Youth Sports Guidance.- EBBCLA summer sessions will take place outdoors only. There will not be any bathroom facilities at the fields, so please take this into consideration when planning for each session.
Shared objects: Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect between use (e.g., balls, bats, racquets). Participants should bring and use their own equipment where possible, or have equipment designated and labeled for individual use by the organization. Shared equipment should be limited and sanitized between users. Equipment should be staged to allow physical distance between users and to limit multiple touches. All participants must have their own food/beverage items. Cups, bottles, or other food/beverage items are not to be shared. There will be no shared equipment, no picking up of balls with hands. Any other equipment (cones, shot blockers, ball buckets, etc.) will be sanitized after every practice session.
Practice vs. team play: Focus on practice and drills is encouraged rather than games, even within stable groups. Team play may be allowed when physical distancing can easily and continuously be maintained during competitive activity. Risk of transmission increases when there are combined activities or games between two or more stable groups. Competition between groups or teams and travel to play other groups are prohibited. – EBBCLA will focus only on practice and drills, which will all promote social distancing of no less than 10 feet. No stable group of 15 or less will interact with any other stable group.
Face coverings: Coaches and staff are required to wear a face covering in accordance with RIDOH regulations and Executive Order 20-30 or when unable to easily, continuously, and measurably keep six feet of physical distance from others. Youth participants are encouraged to wear face coverings when not engaged in active play. While engaged in the active play of sports or strenuous activities, youth participants do not need to wear a face covering. However, youth participants should be encouraged to wear face masks at all other times. Face coverings shall not be required of those who are unable to comply for health or developmental reasons, including young children who may not be able to effectively wear a mask. – all EBBCLA coaches will be required to have a mask on their person at all times. They will be required to wear the mask when they come within 6 feet of another person. Otherwise, they will be required to keep a minimum distance of 6 feet from another person, and will be encouraged and reminded to keep a distance of 10 or more feet when possible. Players will be required to bring a face mask to every practice, but will not be required to wear it when they practice. During water breaks, or while not actively participating in practice, players will be required to stay at least 10 feet from one another. Visual aids will be available along the sidelines to assist in this policy.
Plan and communication: Summer Youth Sports organizations shall provide parents, caregivers, and participants with their COVID-19 plan.- EBBCLA will provide a copy of this plan with our coaches, parents and players.
Organizations are encouraged to appoint a team parent to support coaches in monitoring compliance with COVID-19 plans during practices and drills.- Each of our 9 teams will appoint a parent or EBBCLA board member to support in the compliance of these policies.
Resources: Additional resources can be found at CDC Youth Sports Guidance and at Aspen Institute's “Return to Play COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool.” – EBBCLA coaches will be required to review the Return to Play COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool.
The entire Phase II: Youth Sports Guidelines can be found at https://www.reopeningri.com/resource_pdfs/Phase-II/Phase-II-summer-youth-sports-05.28.20.pdf
