In an effort to create a safe environment for Pembroke Youth Basketball (“PYB”) members, the PYB Board of Directors and PYB COVID-19 Safety Officers have prepared this document to codify the expectations for all participants and spectators at PYB events (practices, games, etc.). This document will be updated as necessary, as COVID-19 guidance changes. This document will serve as the key reference and training document for all individuals associated with PYB activities (i.e. coaches, parents & guardians, town & school administrators, league administrators & operators, referees, etc.).
PYB has three COVID-19 Safety Officers (John McAuliffe, Carlos Bairos and Donald Gresham), who work with town officials, facility operators, league officials, and PYB participants to help ensure adherence with these guidelines. Contact information for all PYB Safety Officers is detailed at end of this document.
This document is organized into the following sections:
1. Definition of “Vaccinated”, as defined by the CDC and used within this document
2. Self-Certification Process – for parents / guardians of all PYB participants
3. Communicating & Reporting COVID-19 Matters
a. Player or coach tests positive – PYB protocols
b. Player or coach is deemed a close contact – PYB protocols
4. Other PYB Safety Measures
a. Waiver (signed as part of the registration process)
b. Contact Tracing
c. Mask Requirements for PYB Activities
d. Spectators at PYB Activities
e. Coaching Responsibilities
5. PYB COVID Safety Officers – Contact Information
1. Definition of “Vaccinated”
The definition of “vaccinated”, as currently defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and used within this document, is as follows:
· Children ages 5 - 17
o The child has completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
Note:
“Completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines” simply means the child has received 2 doses of an FDA-approved vaccine (Pfizer is currently the only FDA-approved vaccine for this age group), and it has been at least 2 weeks since the child received the 2nd dose.
· Persons age 18 or older
o The person has received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters. To further clarify, the person must fall into one of the following categories to be considered vaccinated:
§ The person has received 2 doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months, and it has been at least 2 weeks since the person received the 2nd dose, or
§ The person has received 1 dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months, and it has been at least 2 weeks since the person received the 2nd dose, or
§ The person has received a booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, after completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. The “primary series of COVID-19 vaccines” refers to either:
a. 2 doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or
b. 1 dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
2. Self-Certification Process
Parents / guardians of PYB participants are required to self-certify the following prior to each PYB activity:
· Applies to all (regardless of vaccination status):
o My child has not experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours (symptoms include, but are not limited to the following: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, loss of taste, loss of smell).
· Applies only if your child is not vaccinated and has not previously had COVID-19 (within the last 90 days):
o To the best of my knowledge, my child has not been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet (while indoors) of a COVID-19 positive person for a cumulative total of at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, during the period …
· If the COVID-19 positive person is / was symptomatic
during the period 48 hours before the onset of symptoms or anytime in the 5 days after the onset of symptoms, or
· If the COVID-19 positive person is / was asymptomatic
during the period 48 hours before the positive test was taken or anytime in the 5 days after the positive test
· If your child has tested positive (regardless of vaccination status) and/or has been in close contact with anyone that has tested positive (if the child is not vaccinated and has not previously had COVID-19 in the last 90 days), then they will be required to follow the guidance and protocols detailed below in the “Communicating / Reporting COVID-19 Matters” section of this document.
3. Communicating & Reporting COVID-19 Matters
Parents / guardians of PYB participants are required to follow the guidelines detailed below if their child tests positive and/or has been in close contact (as defined within this document) with anyone that has tested positive. Please note that these guidelines are subject to change based on updated guidance from the CDC, Commonwealth of MA, Town Board of Health, and/or Facility Operators where PYB activities are conducted
a. Player or Coach – tests positive – PYB protocols:
o Report the relevant details in writing to a PYB safety officer and the head coach of your team. Relevant details include the type of test taken, date the test was taken, date the results were received, date of exposure (if known), and a brief description of symptoms (i.e. start date of symptoms, type of symptoms – if any, etc.).
o Notify the Pembroke Board of Health.
o Player or coach must self-quarantine / isolate for at least 5 days from the onset of symptoms or the positive test (if asymptomatic), whichever date is earlier. Examples for timeline clarification purposes:
o Player or coach has symptoms, takes a test the day after symptoms start, and receives the positive test results 2 days after the test was taken
(onset of symptoms = day 0)
o Player or coach does not have any symptoms, takes a test and receives the positive test results 2 days after the test was taken
(date the test was taken = day 0)
o Player or coach may return to PYB activities on day 6, if they have not had a fever or other symptoms within the last 24 hours (without the use of fever / symptom reducing medications). Player or coach must wear a mask during all PYB activities for the next 5 days (during days 6 – 10).
b. Player or Coach – deemed a “close contact” – PYB protocols:
o If the player or coach is vaccinated and/or has previously had COVID-19 (within the last 90 days):
o No reporting requirements
o No quarantine requirements
· For 10 days following the date of exposure:
o Wear a mask during all PYB activities
o Monitor for symptoms
· Test on day 5 (this is recommended, but not required)
· If the coach or player experiences any symptoms and/or tests positive, then refer to the relevant guidance in the ‘tests positive’ section of this document.
o If the player or coach is not vaccinated and has not previously had COVID-19 (within the last 90 days):
· Report the relevant details in writing to a PYB safety officer and the head coach of your team.
· Player or coach must self-quarantine / isolate for at least 5 days from the date of exposure. The first day following the date of exposure is considered day 1 (date of exposure = day 0).
· Test on day 5 (this is recommended, but not required)
· Player or coach may return to PYB activities on day 6, if they have not experienced any symptoms. Player or coach must wear a mask during all PYB activities for the next 5 days (during days 6 – 10).
· If the coach or player experiences any symptoms during the self-quarantine period and/or tests positive, then refer to the relevant guidance in the ‘tests positive’ section of this document.
Note:
PYB does not have any “test to stay” protocols in place and will not honor / rely on any “test to stay” programs that are administered by the schools. Deemed “close contacts” must adhere to the guidelines noted above for all PYB activities.
4. Other PYB Safety Measures
PYB has also implemented the following safety measures:
a. Waiver
Parents / guardians of PYB participants are required to sign a waiver at the time of registration.
b. Contact Tracing
PYB will only perform contact tracing in extenuating circumstances. PYB is following the general premise that no child spends more than 15 minutes within close contact (6 feet or less) of any other specific child or specific coach during the course of a practice or game.
c. Mask Requirements for PYB Activities
Masks are required for all players, coaches, and spectators. This applies to all practices and games, regardless of the location (and regardless of the masking policy at the location).
PYB has adopted the current MIAA guidelines for indoor sports, which requires masks for all players, coaches, referees and spectators. The South Shore Youth Basketball League (SSYBL) has also adopted these guidelines, as have the vast majority of local towns and youth basketball organizations whose teams participate in the same youth travel leagues as our Pembroke teams.
d. Spectators at PYB Activities
There are no current limitations at the Pembroke School gyms, The Wolves Den and the Hanover University Sports Complex. Other locations may or may not have spectator limitations.
e. Coaching Responsibilities
Coaches are responsible for helping to ensure their teams (i.e. players, parents, etc.) adhere to all necessary guidelines during PYB activities. Additionally, coaches are keeping attendance records for all games & practices (for all players & coaches). This is being done as a precautionary measure, as contact tracing will only be performed if extenuating circumstances exist.
5. PYB COVID Safety Officers – Contact Information
Donald Gresham
Cell: 508-932-1003
Email:
John McAuliffe
Cell: (617) 571-2117
Email:
Carlos Bairos
Cell: 617-869-8056
Email:
