As New Yorkers we should all understand that rules and policies related to COVID-19 are continually evolving. Many of what
can and cannot be done in youth soccer is dictated by NY State, which can change with very little notice.
ENYYSA Return to Soccer Activities is also guided by the best practice guidelines from U.S. Soccer PLAY ON initiative. We
encourage everybody to visit
https://www.ussoccer.com/playon, review the guidelines and take the pledge.
ENYYSA would like to take this opportunity to provide some clarity to what is sanctioned and when. Essentially, sanctioning in
larger part means providing insurance coverage. In order for any soccer activity to be sanctioned by ENYYSA members must
be in compliance with
• NY State regulations
• State and Local health regulations and restrictions
• Field permitting and usage policies
For any activities by members not in compliance, there is no sanctioning and no-insurance coverage.
PLAYING IN A TOURNAMENT
The following updated information is from the New York State, COVID-19 Travel Advisory, effective Wednesday, November 4,
2020.
EASTERN NEW YORK YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
and Its Participating Leagues
RETURN TO SOCCER ACTIVITY GUIDELINES UPDATE
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Return to Soccer Activity Guidelines 11/2020
The travel guidelines require all New Yorkers as well as those visiting from out of state, to take personal responsibility for
compliance in the best interest of public health and safety.
How this pertains to Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association:
1. If teams wish to travel to contiguous states, individuals are not required to quarantine; however the Online Traveler
Health Form must be filled out.
2. If teams wish to travel to non-contiguous states, the Online Traveler Health Form must be filled out and the mandatory
14-day quarantine must be followed.
3. Effective November 4th, travelers may ‘Test-Out’ of the 14 day quarantine (Guidelines Outlined Here)
Indoor / Outdoor Capacity Restrictions
The sports and recreation guidance provides the following in regard to capacity restrictions (p. 5):
• Responsible Parties must ensure that for any indoor sport or recreational activity, capacity is limited to no more than
50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy, inclusive of employees and
patrons/players/spectators.
o Responsible Parties must limit spectators to no more than two spectators per player.
• Responsible Parties must ensure a distance of at least six feet is maintained among individuals at all times, whether
indoor or outdoor, unless safety or the core activity (e.g. practicing, playing) requires a shorter distance. If a shorter
distance is required, individuals must wear acceptable face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate a face
covering for the physical activity (e.g. practicing, playing); provided, however, that coaches, trainers, and other
individuals who are not directly engaged in physical activity are required to wear a face covering.
s
Return to Soccer Activity Guidelines 11/2020
The social gathering limit -- which is currently 50 or fewer people in areas that are not subject to the State's cluster action
initiative -- is not the controlling limitation for these activities. The limit is the lesser of 2 spectators per player or 50%
maximum occupancy indoors/space required such that all spectators can maintain six feet of separation outdoors (e.g.,
roughly 100 square feet per person).
CRITERIA FOR RETURN-TO-PLAY
ENYYSA is recommending the following criteria to educate its members on CDC guidelines, New York State Department of
Health, and US Youth Soccer Guidelines to maintain a healthy environment once players, coaches, volunteers, and spectators
return to the field:
❖ Participants should have no sign or symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have not been exposed to someone
that has been ill in 14 days.
❖ Live in a general location for 14 days prior to beginning group training. This requirement reduces the risk of introducing
COVID-19 into the training group by someone traveling from a different region.
❖ Common Symptoms:
o Trouble breathing
o Pain or pressure in the chest that persists
o Experience confusion or trouble waking up
o Bluish lips or face
❖ Take temperature at home before going to training.
❖ Upon arriving to training, coaches or staff should ask each athlete if they are experiencing any signs or symptom of
COVID-19. If the athlete has any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 they should be sent home and instructed to contact
their health provider. Players will not be allowed to return to training until they are cleared by a healthcare provider. A
doctor’s note must be provided to return to training
RETURN TO SOCCER ACTIVITY GUIDELINES UPDATE
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Return to Soccer Activity Guidelines 11/2020
❖ Participants, organizers, spectators, volunteers and facility employees in high risk categories should not participate or
attend organized sport activities. List of high risk categories can be found
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html.
❖ Small group training should take place in an area where physical distancing (6 ft. apart) can be maintained.
❖ Spectators, nonessential visitors, staff, volunteers and activities involving external groups or organizations should be
limited as much as possible. Clearly designate and mark spectator viewing sites to allow for social distancing. All must
practice social distancing including wearing face coverings.
❖ Be sure appropriate infection prevention supplies (i.e. hand sanitizer, facial tissues, facial coverings) are present in
multiple targeted areas.
❖ Each participant will be required to have their own water bottle, towel, and personal hygiene products:
o Hand sanitizer should be readily available and must contain at least 60% alcohol
o Face coverings can include masks, scarfs, and bandanas over nose and mouth
❖ Players are not required to wear face coverings during physical activities but must wear them when arriving and leaving
training.
❖ NO sharing personal items. Participants should use their own equipment and instructed to sanitize their equipment
after each training session.
❖ Coaches and spectators will be required to wear face coverings when within 6 feet of others.
❖ Practice respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes with tissue or inside elbow.
❖ Tissues, wipes or disposable gloves must be properly disposed in the appropriate receptacles.
❖ Follow cleaning schedule protocol of equipment (cones, goals, etc.) with disinfectant before, during and after use.
Club Responsibilities
❖ Create and distribute protocols to its members.
❖ Contact any additional insurers if your club holds any policies outside of what is included in your
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association’s membership to ensure all coverages.
❖ Post signs in highly visible locations (i.e.., at entrances and exits, and in restrooms) that promote
everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs such as by properly
washing hands and properly wearing a cloth face covering – Corona Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Return-to-Play Guidelines
❖ Maintain a complete list of coaches, youth athletes, and league officials present at each event to
include the date, beginning and ending time of the event, name, address and phone contact to be
made available upon the request from the local health department.
❖ Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on the field surface at least daily, or between uses
as much as possible. Use of shared objects and equipment should be limited or cleaned between
uses by each individual if possible.
❖ Have an effective communication plan in place, identify strategies for working with public health
to notify adult leaders, youth and their families if the organization learns a player or coach has
contracted COVID-19 and may have been infectious to others while at a youth activity, while
maintaining confidentiality.
❖ Be sensitive and accommodating to parents that may be uncomfortable with returning to play too quickly.
EASTERN NEW YORK YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
and Its Participating Leagues
RETURN TO SOCCER ACTIVITY GUIDELINES UPDATE
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Return to Soccer Activity Guidelines 11/2020
❖ Train and educate all staff to protocols and requirements, including state and local regulations,
CDC recommendations and other necessary information.
❖ Be prepared to shut down and stop operations. Develop plans for temporary closure of indoor
facilities and cancel outdoor activities or camps to properly disinfect and ensure other adult
leaders or youth are not infected.
❖ Provide adequate field space for social distancing.
❖ Provide hand sanitizing stations and waste receptacles at fields.
❖ Develop a relationship and a dialog with local health officials. (identify Risk Tolerance)
Coach Responsibilities
❖ Ensure the health and safety of all players.
❖ Inquire how the athletes are feeling, send them home should you believe they act or look ill.
❖ Follow all state and local health protocols.
❖ Ensure all athletes have their individual equipment (ball, water bottles, bag, etc.)
❖ Coach is the only person to handle all practice equipment. (cones, disk etc.)
❖ Coach to sanitize/clean all personal training equipment before and after each session (e.g. cones,
discs, etc.)
❖ All training should be outdoors and ensure social distancing per state or local health guidelines.
❖ Always wear a face mask, when not actively coaching, maintain social distance requirements from
players based on state and local health requirements.
❖ Have fun, stay positive – players and parents are looking to you to stay calm, supportive and
caring during this time.
❖ The use of scrimmage vests or pinnies is not recommended at this time
Parent Responsibilities
❖ Ensure child is healthy and check your child’s temperature daily.
❖ Limited or no carpooling with other players.
❖ Stay in car or adhere to social distance requirements, based on state and local health requirements.
❖ When at practice wear mask if outside your car.
❖ Ensure child’s clothing is washed after every training session.
❖ Ensure all equipment, cleats, ball, shin guards etc. are sanitized before and after every training.
❖ Notify member organization immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason.
❖ Do not assist coach with equipment before or after training.
❖ Be sure your child always has sanitizer with them.
Player Responsibilities
❖ Take temperature daily.
❖ Wash hands thoroughly before and after training.
❖ Bring and use, hand sanitizer with you to every training.
❖ Wear mask before and immediately after all training.
❖ Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, snack or bag.
❖ Practice social distancing, place bags and equipment at least 6 feet apart.
❖ Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after every training.
❖ No group celebrations, no high 5’s, hugs, handshakes etc.
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