MALL COVID-19 POLICY

OVERVIEW

• This policy is applicable to Memorial Ashford Little League (MALL) and is intended to establish Policy, Protocols, Procedures, Roles, and Responsibilities regarding COVID-19.
• MALL will follow the rules & recommendations from the CDC. The plan will be reviewed regularly and adjusted for effectiveness if/when government guidance changes. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html
• The plan is focused on minimizing risk while still allowing competition.
• Families should make their own choices on participation and the best interests of their players & family. The best protection for MALL is for parents to keep players and family members home if showing any symptoms related to COVID-19.

Promoting Behaviors that Reduce Spread:

• Coaches, players, and family members should stay home if they have tested positive for or are showing COVID-19 symptoms.
•  Anyone that  has recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 should also stay home and monitor their health.

Personal Exposure - Recommended Precautions for the Public

• Individual who has had close contact (< 6 feet)** for ≥15 minutes*** ·
• Person with COVID-19 who has symptoms (in the period from 2 days before symptom onset until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation; can be laboratory confirmed or a clinically compatible illness)
• Person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed) but has not had any symptoms (in the 2 days before the date of specimen collection until they meet 
• Stay home until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times 
• Self-monitor for symptoms o Check temperature twice a day o Watch for fever*, cough, or shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19 
• Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 
• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop. All U.S. residents, other than those with a known risk exposure 
• Possible unrecognized COVID-19 exposures in U.S. communities 
  
• Practice social distancing and other personal prevention strategies 
• Be alert for symptoms o Watch for fever*, cough, or shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19 
• Check temperature if symptoms develop · Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop *For the purpose of this guidance, fever is defined as subjective fever (feeling feverish) or a measured temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Note that fever may be intermittent or may not be present in some people, such as those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or taking certain fever-reducing medications (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDS]).

CDC’s Criteria to Return to Team Participation:

• If you think or know you had COVID-19, and had Symptoms, then you can be with others after;
• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
• Symptoms have improved
• Depending on your healthcare provider’s advice and availability of testing, you might get tested to see if you still have COVID-19. If you are tested, you can be around others when you have no fever, respiratory symptoms have improved, and you receive two negative test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart
  
• If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “Think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms.” See CDC Criteria on when you can be around others for additional detail: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprevent-getting-sick%2Fwhen-its-safe.html

MALL will follow all Executive Orders and Minimum Standard Health Protocols outlined by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). See Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) “Opening the State of Texas” for additional details: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/opentexas.aspx

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• MALL will assign a COVID-19 point of contact to coordinate all communications and decisions related to any COVID-19 exposures.
• The MALL point of contact will be reference for any COVID-19 related questions and will work with Coaches, Players & Parents to promote and ensure COVID-19 protocols are being followed.

PLAYERS/COACHES

• Dugouts are not to be used during practice. Bags/gear is to be placed 6ft apart along fence. On gamedays, Players are to hang their bags and keep equipment at these dedicated stations.
• Players are NOT to share equipment. If bats are shared, Coaches must wipe them down. Shared catchers gear must be wiped down before changing catchers. That gear is to again be wiped down after each practice/game.
• Face coverings are required for players & coaches while in the dugout.
• Bats are retrieved by players if out at first.
• Bats are retrieved by a Coach who wipes it down if player reaches safely.
• Hand sanitizer available for all before they enter and exit the field.
  

Pre-practice / Pre-Game Checklist:

Attendance at Practices and Games are optional. Your player should never participate if he or she is not feeling well.  To participate in Practices or Games you and your child must be able to answer NO to all the questions below. 

1) Have you or your child been in close contact with a person who is/was positive for COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks?
2) Does your child or anyone in your home have a new or worsening cough or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing?  
3) Does your child or anyone in your home have a fever greater than 99.9 degrees?
4) Does your child or anyone in your home have at least two of the following: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea?

If you have answered NO to all 4 screening questions, you may participate in activities. Please note that all players must bring their own water in a large bottle or jug (no sharing water or food).

MALL FACILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Spectators should maintain at least 6 feet social distancing from individuals not within their spectator’s group.
• Face coverings are recommended.
• Use every other row on bleachers.
• Lawn chairs are encouraged and may even be placed along outfield fence or in foul territory.
• Vossen Snack Shack will operate under the CDC’s guidelines.
• Bathrooms will be cleaned regularly.
  

Positive COVID-19 Action Plan

Player/Coach receives a positive COVID-19 test:

Player/Coach to be removed                 All families on the team to be        

From all baseball activities until   >       made aware of the positive test

They receive a negative test or              and encouraged to monitor

Wait 10 days.                                                Symptoms/test accordingly

All other Players/Coaches to

Monitor their symptoms               >         If showing symptoms, it is                   If Player/Coach tests positive

                                                                           Recommended that a COVID-19  >   they are to remain away from

                                                                           test is taken                                              MALL until they receive their

                                                                                                                                                   negative test or wait 10 days.

Coach to advise MALL COVID               This group will review if anyone          Family of anyone within close

Officer & President of the             >       was within “Close Contact” of        >   contact to be notified and

positive test.                                               that player. Close contact is                  advised their child can return

                                                                         defined as less than 6 ft. for 15 min.   after 14 days.

Manager to advise their last                Opponent Manager to advise               If there is a positive test,

opponent’s manager of a              >      their family/team of the positive   >    revisit step 1 of

positive test                                                test and to monitor                                   this process.

                                                                         symptoms/test accordingly