PYSA COVID-19 Case and Exposure Guidelines

Updated: 09/24/20

The following guidelines are to ensure our athletes remain safe and allow us to continue playing youth sports. Most importantly, parents must ensure they do not send an athlete to participate in team activities if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (as listed in this document) or is lab-confirmed with COVID-19 until the below conditions for re-entry are met. Let us all work together so that we can have a successful program for our young athletes.

All COVID-19 cases and potential exposure must be reported to PYSA commissioner as soon as possible. PYSA Commissioner will interview the case or parent/guardian, determine the dates when the case was infectious, identify anyone that may have been exposed, and collect contact information for those individuals.

PYSA will follow PISD and UIL guidelines regarding quarantine periods for COVID-19 cases and potential exposures. An athlete restricted from PISD in-person activities will also be restricted from participating in any PYSA activity. Athletes may not return to PYSA activities until they are released from quarantine by their school nurse.

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases:

• Individuals with COVID-19 will need to quarantine from PYSA activities including practices and games for 10 days from symptom onset or positive test.

 Exposed/Close Contacts:

• People identified as exposed (close contacts) are those who spent at least 15 minutes (can be cumulative time) within 6 feet of the case while the case was infectious (the infectious period starts 2 days before symptom onset, or 2 days before the case was tested, if they are asymptomatic).
• Exposed persons (close contacts) will need stay home for 14 days from the last contact with the COVID-19 case.
• Keeping practice and game attendance records will help with contract tracing if necessary.

In the case of an individual is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and has not been evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, such individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to the practice or games until they are released from quarantine by their school nurse.

Guidelines for Athletes, Coaches and Spectators

Athletes:

• Conduct daily symptom self-assessments; see Action Plan if experiencing symptoms*
• Adhere to six-foot social distancing practices off the field of play
• Wear face coverings when not actively participating in the field of play (Note: face coverings include non-medical grade disposable face masks, cloth face covering and must be over the nose and mouth)
• Use hand sanitizer and/or disinfectant wipes before and after play
• Bring water in a portable container, no sharing among athletes
• “No-touch” rule: players should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, officials and spectators
• Travel to the venue alone or with a member of their immediate household

Coaches:

• Conduct daily symptom self-assessments; see Action Plan if experiencing symptoms*
• Ensure players are following COVID-19 related prevention measures included herein
• Adhere to six-foot social distancing practices off the field of play
• Wear face coverings when not able to social distance from players and/or spectators
• Use hand sanitizer and/or disinfectant wipes before and after play
• “No-touch” rule: players should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, officials and spectators
• Ensure equipment and personal items have proper separation and should not be shared when possible

Spectators:

• Conduct daily symptom self-assessments; stay home if experiencing symptoms*
• Adhere to six-foot social distancing practices; wear face coverings when not able to comply
• At this time, we are not limiting the number of spectators allowed to attend each event

COVID-19 Symptoms

In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider the following questions and if they have experienced any of the following in the last 24 hours?

• Feeling feverish with a temperature greater than 99.9 degrees
• Loss of taste or smell
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual headache
• Chills / Repeated shaking
• Sore throat
• Shaking or exaggerated shivering
• Significant muscle pain or ache
• Diarrhea

If a player indicated a “yes” to having any of these signs or symptoms, you must be excluded from participating or observing the team activity.