COVID-19 Guidelines

Program Preparation Plan for Lacrosse  

*ESYLA Guidelines are subject to change before the start of league games based on CDC, State of MD and DE and local counties guidelines.  

The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for guidelines published by the Maryland and Delaware’s Department of Health, US Lacrosse, Local Department of Health, CDC or any other governing or regulatory body but rather in addition to those guidelines. All content, including text, link and information, are provided for general informational purposes only. The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, The Eastern Shore Youth Lacrosse league makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information. Further, you should seek advice from medical professionals and/or public health officials if you have specific questions about your return to practice and competition. There are links to resources for reference and guidance, including US Lacrosse, CDC and MD and DE Covid sites. Preparing for Practice Guidelines: All players, coaches, staff, spectators and other attendees must adhere to specifically required guidelines from the Maryland and Delaware’s Department of Health, US Lacrosse, Local Department of Health or other governing or regulatory body. 
 
 
Conducting Practice/Game Guidelines:

It is recommended that each program institute practices that are in accordance with best practices, including but not limited to:

•  Healthy Practices:  All players, coaches, referees and spectators should practice “good hygiene” by regularly washing their hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth. Players and coaches should avoid all but the essential contact necessary during practice or competition.  
•  Social-distancing: Players, coaches, referees and spectators should maintain 6-feet of distance whenever possible. 

Face-coverings: 

•  Coaches/Spectators: Spectators are encouraged to wear face-coverings at all times, particularly when 6-feet of distancing is not possible. Coaches must wear face coverings at all times. 
•  Players: May wear face-coverings when actively participating in vigorous activity during practice or competition, as tolerated. Though when on the sidelines face covering should be worn when social distancing is not permissible 
•  General/All: Face-coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. 

 Drinks & Snacks: 

•  Participants should supply their own drink and snacks. Beverages and snacks should not be shared. 
•  Equipment: o No sharing of equipment inclusive of but not limited to: sticks, gloves, game jersey, pinnies, arm pads, shoulder pads, chin straps, mouth pieces, etc.… o Equipment inclusive of balls, cones, etc. should be sanitized after each event o Encourage players come to practice/game dressed to play and not bring a Lacrosse bag to minimize the risk of contamination   

 Covid-19 Close Contact Exposure:

● Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet or less of the Covid+ person for 10 minutes or more, or if you had any direct contact (e.g. a hug or kiss) or if you had direct contact with infectious secretions (e.g. were coughed or sneezed on). 
● This encounter is regardless of whether the contact was indoors versus outdoors, or whether masks were or were not worn by one or both parties, as per the CDC guidelines. 
● If a player or coach had a one-time close contact with a Covid+ individual within 2 days prior to, or after their onset of symptoms, a 14-day quarantine is required from the time of that contact. 
● If a player or coach had a one-time close contact with a Covid+ individual who was asymptomatic, within the 2 days prior to their positive test or within 10 days afterwards, a 14-day quarantine is required from the time of that contact. 
● If the player or coach lives with a person who is Covid+ and can fully self-isolate from them, they must quarantine for 14 days from the time they began self-isolation. 
● If the player or coach lives with a person who is Covid+ and cannot fully self-isolate from them, they must quarantine until 14 days following that person’s complete resolution of symptoms (i.e. the entire symptomatic period plus an additional 14 days). If that person is asymptomatic, the quarantine period is a total of 24 days following the positive test. If someone else in the house becomes sick during that time or has a positive test, the quarantine period restarts. Return to Play Guidelines: ● After a one-time close contact, the player or coach may return after their 14-day quarantine is completed. 
● If the player or coach lives with the Covid+ person, they must both complete the quarantine period outlined in the prior section and must have a negative PCR test at the end of their quarantine to return to play. 
● If the player or coach is Covid+, they must meet all of the following criteria to return: 
1. It has been at least 14 days since symptoms initially started, or at least 10 days from positive test if asymptomatic. 
2. They have been afebrile for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medications. 
3. Respiratory symptoms (cough, sneezing, and shortness of breath) have fully resolved. 
4. Negative Covid PCR test. Exceptions: ● If a player or coach had a confirmed positive Covid test within the last 3 months and has met all criteria in the Return to Play Guidelines section, they do not need to quarantine again if they have a subsequent Close Contact exposure. If it has been more than 3 months since their positive test, then they must follow all above guidelines. 
● If a player or coach has a Covid-19 test done for any reason, they may not participate until they have received their test result, and it is negative. 

ESYLA: 

• It is recommended that games will be limited to no more than 2 per week per team within a program  

• No Pre/Post Game contact, including but not limited to: handshakes/high fives, fist bumps, etc.

• To the extent that it is learned that a Program has allowed a player or coach, regardless of grade or team level, participate in an event when they should have been in quarantine  - such program will not    be permitted to participate in any league sanction event, including but not limited to playoffs, all-star games, etc.…

• If a team within a program has a player or coach that has been exposed to Covid, the program is to in addition to following local health department and State protocols immediately contact the         division/conference coordinator and report such and course of action and cancel any games for the upcoming period of 14 days. To the extent that there had been a Lacrosse activity involving another     program and/or referee(s) that may be impacted the appropriate notification should be made informing the parties of the course of action.    

• If a school system within a Programs jurisdiction ceases all or majority of extracurricular activities – Programs should suspend the remainder of their activities for the duration of the school system     ceasing activities  
 
Resources:

US Lacrosse Return to Play

https://www.uslacrosse.org/return-to-play

CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html 

CDC Youth Sports FAQ 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports-faq.html  

MD COVID 19  

https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/ 
https://marylandsports.us/basic-page/return-play-youth-amateur-sports-resource-center