Pop Warner BuxMont Practice Plan- 2020 COVID-19 Precautions

All guidelines and best practices outlined within this document are meant for the best direction for the BuxMont football and cheer programs to move forward with a start to the 2020 season ensuring safety for all players, coaches, and parents. BuxMont will follow and practice all guidelines suggested by the NFHS (National Federation of High School) as well as the CDC (Center for Disease Control). The guidelines below are valid through August 17 2020. Additional protocols to follow once BuxMont determines if contact is feasible according to NFHS and CDC guidelines.

NFHS & CDC Guidelines (Football & Cheer) PRACTICE ONLY

-        As of 14July 2020 the state of Pennsylvania is in a Green status. Under this status the state allows the commencement of football practices and games to begin.

-        NFHS recommends that football practices can resume in phase 3 (equivalent of PA GREEN) and states that resumption of competition depends on current state of data.

BuxMont Practice (Football & Cheer) PRACTICE ONLY

Ø  Recommendations based on Pennsylvania being in GREEN. The following practice plan is recommended by combining guidelines from the NFHS, CDC, PA DOH and will be implemented with modifications from requirements set forth by Governor Wolf (https://www.governor.pa.gov/covid-19/sports-guidance/).

Density:

Population/crowd density known risk factor for COVID-19.

Currently, PA requires gatherings of <250 people, NFHS for phase 3 recommends <50.  With this in mind, recommend:

-        Limiting parent or guardian at practice if social distancing cannot be followed. If a parent or guardian is at practice, a mask is mandatory at all times.

-        Non-participants remain at least 6 ft apart, avoid congregating in large groups

-        Discourage persons older than age 65 or underlying medical comorbidities from attending if possible. – (Recommended)

-        Spectators are prohibited from sitting on bleachers / benches.

-        Each team designates their individual practice space by cones/paint etc. Spectators must remain 15ft away from the designated practice area.

Screening/Symptoms

All players screened for both temperature (100.4 F) and symptoms (fatigue, lethargy, fever, body aches, anosmia, respiratory symptoms, GI illness) prior to every practice.  Screening is mandatory and needs to be done prior to every practice.

-        Every parent must sign the Pop Warner waivers prior to starting practice.

-        Every parent must conduct a pre-screen on their own before every practice. If the child has symptoms, it is the parents responsibility to withhold their child from practice. See Appendix A

-        One staff member for each team will be designated to perform temp checks.

-        A check-in tent will be set up at each practice for the player, coaches, parent  temp.

-        If a temperature is equal to or greater than 100.4 F the individual must leave the facility and not return until fever free / negative COVID-19 test.

-        If positive COVID-19 screen, player will be referred away from practice that day and recommended to follow up with physician.  Quarantine from practice/team for 2 weeks. 

-        If ill at practice, immediately remove person from practice and not return until fever free.

-        Isolation protocol will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

-        A player or coach testing positive for the presence COVID-19 will self-quarantine according to CDC guidelines and the league will be notified.

Pre-practice

-        Staggering arrival times for practice for different teams is recommended (every 5-10 minutes).

-        Hand washing mandatory for all players and staff.

-        Mandatory wipe down of all equipment  pre practice (includes balls)

-        Interactions prior to practice or warm ups should be highly discouraged.

Face Coverings

-        Face coverings over nose and mouth mandatory for all coaches and spectators during entirety of practice.  (INCLUDES PARENTS AND SIBLINGS NOT PARTICIPATING IN PRACTICE)

-        All players must remain 6ft apart during breaks or when on sidelines. Water bottle sharing is prohibited. Every child must have their own. .

Practice

-        Drills or groups (25 or fewer) during practice at all times. Only 50 people can be together for each practice on field.

-        Practice periods and drills involving full squad is prohibited.

-        Wipe down equipment (pads, balls, sleds, etc.) after completion of practice period and each drill. As much as possible.

-        No whistles are to be used by any coach at any time.

-        No stunting at any time for cheer

-        Socially distancing is mandatory during cheer practice at all times.

-        No fist pumps, high fives at any time.

-        No huddles

-        No blocking drills may include direct player to player contact. All drills should use pads when teaching blocking and tackling.

Post-practice

-        Wipe down all equipment / balls. Suggest players and cheer to shower immediately once home.

Exhibit A:

Are you exhibiting any of the following new or worsening symptoms of possible COVID-19?
____ Cough
____ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
____ Chills
____ Repeated shaking with chills
____ Muscle Pain
____ Headache
____ Sore throat
____ Loss of taste or smell
____ Diarrhea
____ Feeling Feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit ____ Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19
____ Currently living with someone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
____ None of the above/No Symptoms
Temperature certification:
____ I certify that I took my temperature before arriving at the field today and it was less than 100° F Duty to Inform:
____ I will inform you if I knowingly come in contact with someone who tested positive within 14 days prior.
____ I will inform you and not attend Pop Warner activities for 14 days if I develop any of the above symptoms.
____ If I test positive for COVID-19, I will not return to Pop Warner activity without medical clearance.

Buxmont Pop Warner practices are prohibited in the YELLOW phase.

Hatboro Horsham Hawks Cheer & Football

COVID-19 Safety and Action Plan Effective July 7, 2020

Return to play protocol in the GREEN Phase

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Local, County and State ordinances and Pop Warner, the Hatboro Horsham Hawks will return to play with the following guidelines in place to ensure a safe playing experience.  The Hawks understands that each family is dealing with varying circumstances and we will be flexible and allow families to return to play as they feel comfortable.

Overall Guidance:  The Hawks will work diligently to ensure a safe and clean environment.  But it takes cooperation from parents and players to keep everyone safe.  These are unprecedented times and your cooperation is greatly appreciated.  Signs will be posted and restrooms and facilities will have limited usage.  The snack stand will be open but offer a very limited menu including contactless payments.  A Pop Warner Covid waiver must be signed by each player in order to participate.  This may entail a daily check in and re-signing of waivers daily. 

1.)     Communication and Education

All coaches, players, and parents will receive communication on our safety and action plan before return to play begins. This will be shared with all participants (coaches, players, and parents) on behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19 to include but not limited to: hand hygiene, sanitizing equipment, properly covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when appropriate. A section will be dedicated on the Hawks website for Covid related questions.  A point of contact (Christine McCarty) will be in charge of all Covid related safety precautions and administration.

2.)     Parent and Player Responsibilities

Ensure your child is healthy and check your child’s temperature before activities with others. Anything 100.4 or above is considered a fever. Players without fever who do not feel well should also stay home. Consider not carpooling or very limited carpooling. Take your temperature daily and especially before activities with others. Notify your coach if you feel sick at any time during practice.  Wash hands thoroughly before and after training. Bring, and use, hand sanitizer with you at every training. Wear mask before and immediately after all training. Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, food or bags. 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, high-5s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, etc. Follow all CDC guidelines as well those of your local health authorities.

3.)    Coach and Team Parent Responsibilities

Will set up a check in station at Hawks field.  Will ensure that each participant signs the Covid waiver.  Will conduct temperature checks upon entering the field.  Will have hand sanitizer for use before, during and after practice/games.  Will abide by the Hawks internal protocol for sanitizing equipment after use.

The below guidelines were submitted to the County and the Township and approved for play during the Yellow Phase. 
Hatboro Horsham Hawks Cheer & Football

2020 Return to Play Plan (yellow phase)

Per the Montgomery County Department of Health, the following guidelines must be followed:

· Limit the size of skills camps to no more than 25 individuals

· Screen participants with temperature checks and confirm symptoms with parents. 

· Maintain social distancing with no physical contact.

· Enforce proper hand hygiene.  Provide hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) and have adequate supplies available.

· Do not allow spitting.

· Face coverings for coaches when within 6ft of players.  Face coverings are not required for children; however, they are permitted to wear face coverings if requested by their parent.

· Do not share equipment.

· Follow procedures for cleaning of equipment. Bleachers will not be used (will be roped off) but will be sanitized at the beginning and end of each session.  Each coach has a bottle of disinfectant to use for their team. 

· Do not share beverages/water bottles.

· Carpool only with members of the same household who live together.

· A waiver certified by Pop Warner must be signed by all parents and witness signature required (see attached doc)

· Provide signage and reminders about healthy behaviors, proper hand hygiene, etc.

Below are the procedures put in place by the Hawks when resuming non-contact Football skills camp

1.     Symptomatic Conditions Monitoring

§  Carpool only with members of the same household who live together.

§  A parent must escort their child to the field and check in with the team representative for wellness check.  No player will be allowed onto a field unless they are escorted to the field by a parent. 

§  Each team will have a team wellness sheet to document at each practice/game.  No player or coach is allowed onto the field without a wellness check documented. Wellness check will include:

·      Team representative must be a Coach or Executive Board Member who has completed the required background checks.

·      Team representative will take all players and coaches temperatures with the digital forehead thermometer, ask a series of symptom questions listed, parent/coach initials, and team representative’s initials

·      Any player or coach with positive symptoms or a temperature above 100° F must leave the facility.

·      Hand sanitizer will be provided to the player/coach after wellness check completed.

§  Emerging symptoms during an activity means removal from activity

2.     Procedures in place for distancing and sanitizing routines

§  The bleachers on each sideline will be closed and not available to use.

§  There will be no team benches used on the sidelines, players will need to socially distance on sideline when not in the drill or activity

§  No team water coolers.

§  No gum, seeds, or spitting.

§  No sharing personal gear.

§  There will be no more than 25 people (combination of coaches and players) on a 100 yard football field at a time. 

§  Each 100 yard Football filed will be divided in half to allow players to spread out and limit close contact.

§  All sessions/campos/practices will be spread apart by 1 hour to eliminate teams overlapping and coming in contact when one team is leaving while another team is arriving.  This will allow adequate time for disinfecting before and after skills camps. 

§  Eliminate “free-for-all” at beginning and end of camps.

§  Awareness of proximity – avoid huddles, high fives/fist bumps.

§  All Footballs will be disinfected before and after practice. 

§  Bleachers will remain closed during the yellow phase.  Will reopen bleachers during Green with sanitization process followed.

§  Disinfectant will be procured for use that meet the EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19.

§  The public restrooms at Hawks Field will be open but only one person at a time in the yellow phase.   Hand washing with soap and sanitizer provided in each restroom.