PWPA COVID-19 PROCEDURES FOR PRACTICES
Updated 5/24/21
PWPA SELF-ADMINISTERED HEALTH SCREEN
Please visit the Center for Disease Controls symptom list and perform a personal health screen each day before you come to a Pegasus practice or competition. The most concerning threat to an organized sports team is rapid spread within the group. Effective containment depends on early symptom identification, removal from practice (isolation), and strict guidelines regarding return to practice.
If you had any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours, please remain at home and do not return to practice until you are symptom free for 72 hours. If practical, go to a testing facility to be assessed.
· Unexplained rash
· Diarrhea
· Vomiting
· Cough
· Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
· Fever
· Chills
· Muscle pain or body aches
· Sore throat
· New loss of taste or smell
POSITIVE TEST PROTOCOL
Should an athlete test positive or be otherwise diagnosed with COVID-19, Pegasus will require the following measures:
Self-quarantine at home a minimum of 10 days from the positive test or initial onset of symptoms and be symptom-free for 72 hours prior to return – it is critical that the athlete is symptom-free for 72 hours prior to the return to any team activities
It is the expectation that PWPA coaches will be notified IMMEDIATELY upon the positive test or diagnosis whereby contact tracing and exposed athlete notifications will begin immediately. Once all exposed team members are notified, the team will receive an email notification of a positive case and any relevant information (group, etc). The athlete’s name will remain confidential per legal requirements. It is also the expectation that prior to a diagnosis or positive test but with the onset of any potential symptoms or known exposures will be met with a pause in attendance and notification to the coaches to minimize the risk of exposures to other athletes.
HIGH RISK EXPOSURE PROTOCOL
Should an athlete have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 that is classified as high risk, PWPA will require the following measures:
i. Self-quarantine at home a minimum of 10 days from the positive test or initial onset of symptoms and be symptom-free for 72 hours prior to return – it is critical that the athlete is symptom-free for 72 hours prior to the return to any team activities.
High risk exposure with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 applies to the following:
· A family member residing in the same home
· Athletes that trained in the same or adjacent lanes at the same end and who did not maintain proper safe distance (6 feet) when resting between sets
· Athletes that carpool together
· Contact less than 6 feet for at least 15 minutes
LOW RISK EXPOSURE PROTOCOL
Should a player have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 that is classified as low risk, PWPA will require the following measures:
i. No PWPA activities for a period of 72 hours and be symptom-free prior to return
Low risk exposure with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 applies to the following:
· Athletes that trained in the same or adjacent lane, at the same end staggered to provide separation but had intermittent time spent within 6 feet of the infected person
· Athletes that trained in the same lane and at the same end and had close contact (within 6 feet when at rest between sets) of a sibling of someone who tested positive ***
***If the sibling the athlete was exposed to develops symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19 during the 72 hours then these athletes would be re-categorized as high risk and should follow the high risk exposure protocol.
Please note that we are dependent upon transparency from each family – any attempts to mislead places our team and sport in jeopardy and could be subject to discipline at the team.
Rapid test results will not be considered when determining isolation period, only FDA molecular nasal swab test and early negative tests will not accelerate the quarantine period.
An antibody test will not be used for returning to the pool.
While this is the PWPA policy stated today, we reserve the right to change this policy as we better learn how to manage this disease or to require different actions based on the specifics of a situation that may arise.
QUARANTINE PROTOCOL
An automatic 14-day quarantine from Pegasus practices will apply for those players participating in full-contact tournaments, game days, ODP, etc. The quarantine starts the last day of participation in ODP or tournament (Day 0).
Alternatively, players can return on the 8th day after participation with a negative COVID test result and zero symptoms. The test must be administered on or after the 8th day after last participation. For example: athlete participates in Sept 26, 2020, ODP clinic; athlete can return to Pegasus practice on Oct 10 with a 14-day quarantine or with zero symptoms and a negative COVID test taken on the 8th day, Oct 4th. Please forward test results to [email protected].
PEGASUS WATER POLO ACADEMY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Coaches or parents who have been directly exposed (within 6 feet for 15 mins or more) should immediately raise the issue to the rest of the coaching staff to discuss proper protocol for maximum athlete safety.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY EXPECTATIONS
All athletes must sign the online USAWP COVID-19 waiver.
Safety checks will remain in place prior to entering the pool each day.
Prior to and following practices and at competitions, we expected athletes to maintain a safe (6 ft) distance at all times. There should be no socializing prior to or following practices.
Athletes should take off masks only as they are getting into the pool and should put the masks back on as soon as they are able upon exiting the pool.
Athletes violating PWPA Covid-19 safety rules will be dismissed from practice and could face further discipline.
Coaches will wear masks before and after practice begins when athletes are on the deck, taking them off only when athletes are in the water to speak instructions and coach from a safe distance.
Coaches will make all efforts possible to stagger athletes appropriately to minimize the opportunity for exposures. It is important that we get complete cooperation from athletes to maintain social distancing during practices to reduce their risk.
For everyone to stay healthy and be able to keep practicing, we ask our athletes to please practice responsible social distancing when they are away from the pool as well.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html- CDC index of information regarding Coronavirus and COVID-19
POOL FACILITY POLICIES
See our specific pool location policies here.
More information may be found at USA Swimming COVID Recommendations
