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COVID-19

UPDATED COVID PROTOCOLS

updated 3/5/21

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As we prepare for the upcoming 2021 Spring Soccer season, Eastern Pennsylvania wanted to send out the most up to date COVID-19 restrictions per the PA Department of Health and CDC recommended guidelines. Please see FAQs below:

1) What is the current masking requirement per the PA Department of Health?

All coaches, spectators, referees, players must wear a mask at all times.

The only time when players or referees do not have to wear a mask during participation is if they meet an exception in the Face Covering Order. Section 3 of the Order provides an exception that allows an individual to remove their mask if wearing a face covering would either cause a medical condition, or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition or a disability.

What does this mean for me?

Masks must be worn by coaches, spectators, referees, and players. The only scenario a mask can be removed by a player or referee is if the individual meets the exception to the Face Mask Order. Section 3 of the Order provides an exception that allows an individual to remove their mask if wearing a face covering would either cause a medical condition, or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition or a disability. Proof of a condition or disability is not required. The Department of Health asks that everyone makes best efforts to wear face coverings during athletic activities. 

To read more, visit PA Department of Health, Masking Requirements and Section 3 of the Masking Requirements

2) What are the current travel restrictions for Pennsylvania Residents?


Pennsylvanians who are returning home from other countries or states over the age of 11, must have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth or quarantine for 10 days upon entry into Pennsylvania. If a traveler chooses to get tested upon entering the Commonwealth, or is waiting for test results, the traveler must quarantine for 10 days, or until receipt of a negative test result, whichever comes first.
 
3) What are the current travel restrictions for Non-PA Residents traveling from different states into Pennsylvania?

Anyone entering Pennsylvania from other countries and states over the age of 11, must have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth or quarantine for 10 days upon entry into Pennsylvania. If a traveler chooses to get tested upon entering the Commonwealth, or is waiting for test results, the traveler must quarantine for 10 days, or until receipt of a negative test result, whichever comes first.

4) Are there exemptions to the travel restrictions listed above for traveling in and out of Pennsylvania?

Yes, you do not have to have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to your return or quarantine under the following scenarios below:
a. Individuals traveling to and from the Commonwealth for the purposes of work.
b. Individuals traveling to and from the Commonwealth for medical reasons, including individuals providing comfort and support to the patient.
c. Individuals who are returning to the Commonwealth after traveling outside of the Commonwealth for less than 24 hours.

 
What does this mean for me?

  • PA Residents leaving Pennsylvania for less than 24 hours (to play a soccer game in a different state) are NOT required have to have a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine.

  • Out of State teams DO have to receive a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine when they arrive into the state.

  • If a team participates in a out of state tournament, and they remain in a different state for longer than 24 hours, they would be required to have a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine as listed in the order above.

To read more, visit PA Department of Health, Travel Restrictions

USASA - Return to Play Guidelines

EPSA Returning to Play

  • We are in the Green phase for activities, but strict conditions and protocols apply

Green Phase

Clubs

•Activity may begin within your club only.  Activity must be kept local, within your community.

•No contact training. No games. No interaction with other organizations.

•After a 2-3 week safety check, with no roll-backs (County or State) full games with contact may begin.​

•Individuals must comply with restrictions of their home county. 

•Engage with management of your practice facilities to learn and comply with their polices and procedures.

•Fields must be legally open. No training on a space/field without insurance certificate issued (standard regardless of COVID-19) and permission from the facility.

•Create an action plan

•Actions to take upon notification of a positive test result for a club/team member.

•Be prepared to shut down and stop operations if necessary.

•Develop a plan for social distancing and adequate field space.

•Minimize interactions among teams. 

•Consider field/training area lay out, entrance and exit from fields, managing training schedules.

•Social distancing required in all areas, including but not limited to sidelines, bench areas, clubhouse, parking lot.

•Spectators are not essential to training and not recommended to attend.

•Green Phase will be further determined with additional guidelines from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Coaches/Players

•Comply with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer and any additional club directives or requirements.

•Reinforce directives, polices and protocols as necessary with players.

•As players arrive, inquire how they’re feeling. If they are ill or appear to be ill, send them home.

•Supply your medical kit or bag with gloves, extra masks, sanitizer, and facial tissues.

•Implement social distancing at all times. Each player and their equipment at least six (6) feet from the next player.

•Coaches wear masks at all times. 

•Players should wear masks during training. Must wear when not engaged in soccer activity.

•Only coaches should touch or move equipment. 

•No bodily contact in training. 

•After a 2-3 week safety check, with no roll-backs (County or State) full games with contact may begin.

•Sanitize all equipment after training. 

•Scrimmage vests are not recommended.

•Minimize interaction with other teams that train before or after you. 

•Keep track of attendance if needed for future reference (i.e. contact tracing).

•Monitor players' health and fitness levels...we've been away a long time! 

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