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
• In addition to these guidelines, which control, PTBBA members will abide by all additional guidelines for any facility in which PTBBA activities take place, including any 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 close or direct contact with an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine from all PTBBA activities as follows:
o Any individual diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to activity until providing a written clearance from a doctor after meeting the CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation.
o Any individual identified as a close contact or exposure must meet the following criteria for returning:
▪ (1) Quarantine for 10 days or (2) Quarantine for 7 days with a negative PCR COVID test result taken on or after day 5 of quarantine. A rapid antigen test will not be accepted.
▪ Even after criteria is met, symptoms should be monitored for 14 days.
▪ People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms.
Masks and Social Distancing
• All PTBBA Coaches and players must wear masks at all times during PTBBA activities, including players during play.
• 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 Anyone entering the CRC must wear a mask at all times, including players during play.
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.
o Anyone entering the gym must wear a mask at all times, including players during play.
Hillcrest
o Spectators will not be permitted for practices.
o For games, the home team is allowed two spectators per player (not including siblings). The visiting team is limited to two spectators per players.
o Anyone entering the gym must wear a mask at all times, including players during play.
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 any grade 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.
