We believe sports can be provided as safely as possible to athletes and families if we follow some important guidelines.  The following guidelines are put in place for all practices, games, matches, meets, and events to help prevent the spread of the virus.
 
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19

• Any person having a fever or feeling sick is asked to remain at home
• For practices and competitions, all athletes, coaches, and families are encouraged to utilize their personal hand sanitizer before entering the practice or competition location
• Each athlete and family are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer for use

 
Physical Touch
To minimize the potential of a COVID-19 exposure, coaches and athletes are asked to minimize all non-essential contact related to the sports activity.  Specifically, below are the guidelines related to physical touch:

• No high fives, fist bumps, hugs, etc.
• No handshakes with the other team after competitions
• Essential contact as part of the practice, game, match, or meet is acceptable

 
Equipment

• No sharing of personal items with other athletes including balls, water bottles, shin guards, knee pads, apparel, head bands, etc.
• The club will provide a pinny to each player as part of their uniform issuance.

Social Distancing
The intent of social distancing outlined by the state is to minimize contact with individuals to minimize the spread of the virus.  The current recommendation is that individuals and family groups from the same household should maintain a distance of 6 feet or greater from others at an outdoor venue.  A mask or face covering should be worn when maintaining this distance is not possible.  With this background, the Bobcats ask families to be mindful of their physical distance with others while at practices and competitions.
 
Wearing Masks
There has been a lot of discussion about wearing masks in public and at events.  The Bobcats are aligning our guidelines with the guidelines of the governor and the mayors for the cities where we have activities.  Current state guidelines allow for the removal of a mask or face covering during strenuous physical activity.  Bobcat families and athletes should follow the guidelines of the locale and/or venue where the practice / competition is taking place.  
 
Exposure to COVID-19
Exposure is defined as being within six (6) feet or less for 15 minutes or more with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19
 In the event an athlete, coach, or parent has been exposed to a person with COVID-19, the following guidelines apply: 

• Remain at home and monitor for symptoms for at least 14 days  
• If the individual has no symptoms, the individual can resume Bobcat activities
• If the individual develops symptoms during the 14 day monitoring period , they shall remain home until they achieve 10 days symptom free

 
Positive Test for COVID-19
In the event an athlete, coach, or parent has tested positive for COVID-19, the person shall:

• Stay home for 10 days since symptoms first appeared or from the date of the positive test result
• If additional Bobcat members are in the same household, the person with COVID-19 must self-isolate in order for the other Bobcat member(s) to be allowed to continue participation.  This includes the following guidelines for COVID individual to protect the health of others in the home:
  • Staying in a specific “sick room” or area and away from other people in the home
  • Using a separate bathroom if possible
  • Not sharing dishes, drinking glasses, cups, etc.
  • Surfaces touched often should be consistently cleaned

 
An athlete, coach, or family member who has tested positive may return to Bobcat activities, only after each of the four conditions below have been met:
24 hours with no fever without the use of medication

• No breathing issues
• 10 days since symptoms first appeared or from the date of the positive test result

 
 
COVID-19 symptoms without a test
An athlete, coach, or family member who has COVID-19 symptoms who has not taken a test, may return to Bobcat activities only after the 3 conditions below have been met:

• 10 days since symptoms first appeared
• 3 days with no fever without the use of medication
• Symptom free for at least 48 hours

 
For reference, per the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms are:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• Loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Any person having a fever or feeling sick is asked to remain at home
 
Parents are expected to communicate any potential COVID-19 issues with the coach.
 
If you have questions related to the guidelines, please contact your coach or a Bobcat Board member.