RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES
Introduction:
The Peters Township Basketball Association (“PTBBA”) is committed to the health and safety of all players, coaches, parents, families and residents within our communities. These Return to Play Guidelines set forth the precautions that the PTBBA intends to undertake for the resumption of basketball activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines are based on recommendations from the CDC, the PA Department of Health, and the Peters Township Parks & Recreation Department.
If anyone is not comfortable returning to play, then they should not participate in PTBBA programs. The PTBBA respects all parents’ decisions regarding the health and safety of their children
To the extent anyone decides to participate in a PTBBA program, then, in addition to all applicable state and federal health guidelines and protocols, you and your child MUST comply with the following guidelines for the health and safety of all of our members:
General:
• PTBBA members will abide by all guidelines for any facility in which PTBBA activities take place, including any face mask requirements and restrictions on the number of persons allowed in a given venue at any time.
• PTBBA practice and game times will be schedule with a 15 to 20-minute break between sessions to allow all participants to exit from the earlier session before participants for the next session arrive. Participants are not to arrive more than 10 minutes earlier than your scheduled time and are asked to immediately depart the court/gym area after all practices and games.
• All PTBBA members and participants will familiarize themselves with and follow CDC guidelines as well as those of the local health authorities. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html.
Health Assessments:
• All coaches, players, and spectators must conduct a self-health assessment before attending any PTBBA event.
Group A (1 or more symptoms)
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Difficulty Breathing
• New Olfactory Disorder - Loss of smell or way odors are perceived
• New Taste Disorder - Loss of taste or food does not taste the way it normally does
Group B (2 or more symptoms)
• Fever
• Chills
• Rigors - temperature rises quickly and is accompanied by severe shivering and coldness.
• Myalgia - Muscle pains or muscle aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Extreme fatigue
• Congestion/runny nose
• If anyone is experiencing one symptom from the column on the left or two symptoms from the column on the right (that are not due to a pre-existing condition), then that person is prohibited from attending or participating in PTBBA activities until one of the following must occurs:
1. Quarantine from PTBBA activities for 10 days
2. Provide the PTBBA a doctor’s note that states an alternate diagnosis for the COVID-like symptoms
3. Provide the PTBBA with a negative COVID test result
• Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has had direct contact with an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine from all PTBBA activities for 14 days from the date of exposure regardless of any negative test.
o Any individual diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to activity until providing a written clearance from a doctor and have met CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation.
• If any member of the household has a confirmed case of COVID-19, all children and adults in the household must remain home from PTBBA activities until cleared to return as provided in these guidelines.
Masks and Social Distancing:
• Per state regulations, masks are required to be worn at all times by everyone, including players while participating.
o If your child cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing, mental health condition or disability, please contact the PTBBA to discuss.
o If any child is having trouble breathing with a mask during activities, they should notify the coach immediately and they will be given a break.
• Social Distance (6 ft) whenever possible. Team benches and huddles should observe social distancing. No team meetings after practices or games as players and coaches should promptly leave the court/gym.
• No post game handshake lines. Sportsmanship should be maintained in another manner within the confines of social distancing and these guidelines.
• Wash hands with soap and water frequently. All players are required to bring hand sanitizer to every session. The sharing of hand sanitizer is prohibited.
• Players are required to bring their own adequate supply of water to each session. The sharing of water bottles is prohibited.
• To the extent possible, players are encouraged to bring their own basketballs to each session. Any basketballs that are shared will be sanitized after each session. The use of scrimmage vests, or pinnies, is not recommended.
• All participants should shower and wash all clothing and washable items upon returning home after every practice and game. All participants should disinfect non-washable equipment (shoes, balls, equipment, etc.) after every practice and game.
Gym Facilities:
• The maintenance staff of the given facility, and not the PTBBA, will be responsible for the daily cleaning of all facilities (gyms, restrooms, bleachers, etc.)
• Peters Township Community Rec Center (“CRC”) Gyms:
o At this time, all sessions are limited to 50 people per side at the CRC.
o Spectators will not be permitted in the gym during any practices (travel or rec).
o For travel games, each player will be permitted to have 1 spectator in attendance.
o Given the current capacity restrictions at the CRC, no spectators will be allowed for rec games at this time.
o Spectators will not be permitted in the common areas of the CRC during practices or games. Notwithstanding, anyone who is a member of the CRC may use the CRC as permitted by the current CRC rules and guidelines for all members.
• Peters Township Middle School Gym:
o Spectators are not permitted for practices
o Temperature checks are required for anyone entering the gym. Anyone with a temperature at or above 100.4oF will not be permitted to enter. Coaches will be responsible for temperature checks of their teams for practices. For games, the Peters coach must assign a team representative to check all entrant’s temperatures.
o For travel games, the total capacity of the gym is limited to 65 people. Each player will be allowed 2 spectators to attend per game.
• Other Gyms – Spectators will not be permitted for practices. For games, the PTBBA will follow the current rules of the given facility and any state or local regulation, law or guideline in place respecting the limits on spectators.
School Closures:
• Per PT Parks & Recreation, if a school is closed for COVID-related reasons, the PTBBA will not use the gym facility at the closed school during the duration of the closure.
• Additionally, all PTBBA activities for the grades at the closed school (PV/Bower Hill: K-3rd; McMurray: 4th-6th; Middle School: 7th-8th) will be cancelled during the duration of the closure regardless of whether all children attend that school.
• If your child's classroom is placed in quarantine and prohibited from attending school due to a COVID exposure or possible exposure, then even if the school itself remains open, your child cannot attend any PTBBA activities during the duration of the quarantine period from school.
COVID Communication Plan:
• If you, your child, or anyone your child has been in contact with is diagnosed with COVID-19, immediately notify the PTBBA President, Jim Malloy (president@ptbasketball.com). Jim Malloy will immediately inform the Parks and Recreation Director and identify the player and his/her team and the player’s school name.
