COVID-19 policies for coaches
At practices and games
No coach that is sick or has signs or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should attend any practice or game with their team.
Clustering of players should be avoided. There should be no gathering and socializing before or after the game by players. Coaches should not assemble their teams closely together for instruction; players should be spaced at least 6 feet apart for team meetings or instruction.
No handshakes or fist bumps during or after the game.
Substitutes should remain physically distanced on the sideline, and halftime talks should be distanced as well.
Always wear a face mask & maintain physical distance requirements from players (>6 feet) based on state and local health requirements.
Use hand sanitizer before and after interacting with your team.
Make sure the home team provides 3 balls per half that have been sanitized. Game balls from 1st half can be sanitized by the home team at half time.
Make sure that your team has left the field within 5 minutes of the game ending.
In case of a COVID-19 diagnosis
If there is a positive COVID-19 case in your team, all families with players on that team will be notified. Please notify the club immediately using the button above. The club will notify SYSA and SYSA Staff will work with Public Health – Seattle & King County to manage contact tracing – identifying and informing all individuals that came into close contact with the person diagnosed with COVID-19, and to provide next steps. (For more detail, please refer to the SYSA plan on our website.)
When an athlete is diagnosed with COVID-19:
Have the player stay home and isolate for 10 days.
If the infected player was in contact with their team within 48 hours of diagnosis (date of positive test or date of symptom onset) – whichever was earlier), notify the parents/guardians that someone” on the team has tested positive for the virus (do not reveal name of infected individual). Outdoor soccer activities are considered low risk exposures and do not require quarantine unless >15 minutes of contact with the infected individual within 6 feet over 24 hours, or other special circumstances (ie, carpool, social or indoor exposure).
Each player may choose to be tested for COVID-19 (especially non-vaccinated players).
If the infected player played in a game with their team within 48 hours of diagnosis, the club must notify the opposing team immediately with suggestions as above.
The infected player cannot return to practice or games until they have written medical clearance from their physician.
Disinfectant all equipment.
When a coach has come in contact with or is infected with COVID-19:
Get tested and stay home.
Contact your club immediately.
Inform the team – if you have maintained social distance from all your players, players do not necessarily need to get tested but it can be considered, as stated above.
Disinfect all equipment
We want all players, coaches, and families to be able to enjoy the upcoming season. We recognize that our response to the COVID-19 pandemic relies largely on mandates from our state, county, and city governments, along with our local agencies who act as our field providers. We will continue to communicate whenever those guidelines or mandates evolve in the months ahead.