As many of you know, LA County updated their health protocols for youth sports at the beginning of the week with an effective date of September 1st. The latest version of the order can be found HERE.
We will need your assistance to comply with the new health protocols. Here are the rules you need to know:
AYSO Region 76 Mask Policy
When you are on or near AYSO fields:
- General Rule - Masks are recommended, but not required, as long as you can maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from other households. If you are going to be closer than six feet to people in other households, you MUST wear a mask.
- Exception for Active Play - For players and referees during gameplay or practice, masks are recommended but not required.
In addition, please note the following important enforcement rules to ensure the safety of our volunteers, players and community:
- Everyone should continue to bring a mask with them to games and practices, in case social distancing is not possible.
- If someone is asked by a coach, referee or other AYSO volunteer to mask up or move 6 feet away, they must comply.
- If they do not comply, they and their child will be given a two week suspension from soccer activities.
Rules for Players in U12 and younger
- No weekly testing or vaccination proof is required for these age groups.
- You must immediately report all COVID exposures to AYSO and follow all isolation and quarantine protocols.
- "Fit for School = Fit for Soccer" - If for ANY COVID related reason players are told to stay at home from school, then they should NOT attend AYSO practice or games.
Rules for Players in U14/ U16/ U19 Divisions
- If your child is fully vaccinated, you will not need to complete weekly testing. You just need to provide proof of vaccination.
- If your child is NOT fully vaccinated and is 12 years old or older, you will need to provide a negative COVID test on a weekly basis. Tests taken at school CAN fulfill this commitment.
- You must report all COVID exposures to AYSO and follow all isolation and quarantine protocols.
- "Fit for School = Fit for Soccer" - If for ANY COVID related reason players are told to stay at home from school, then they should NOT attend AYSO practice or games.
Confirmation Process for U14/ U16/ U19 Players
Players will be confirming their status with their team coaches. Many of our players have already provided the necessary information to confirm their status this week and we humbly thank everyone for their assistance to date.
- If the player is fully vaccinated, make sure you have confirmed this by showing your vaccine verification card or digital vaccine record to your coach.
- If the player is not fully vaccinated, show your negative COVID test to the coach each week.
Rules for Coaches, Referees, and Other Volunteers
Like the process for U14 and above players, coaches and referees will have to provide either proof of vaccination OR a weekly negative covid test.
Confirmation Process for Coaches and Referees
Many of our volunteers have already provided the necessary information to confirm their status. A humble thank you to everyone for their assistance to date. If you have not done this yet, you can submit proof of vaccination by e-mailing it to verify@ayso76.org. Just send a copy of your vaccine verification card or digital vaccine record to this e-mail address. We will confirm the status and then delete the record.
If you are not vaccinated, we will need you to submit by noon on Friday each week a copy of your negative covid test to the same address, verify@ayso76.org.
Board members will be working with coaches, referees and players to ensure everyone is following the above rules on a weekly basis. Failure to provide this proof will mean that you will not be eligible to participate as a player, coach or referee at games or practices.
Post-Game Rules during COVID
We are asking all teams to do the following:
- Post-Game Handshake - DO NOT have a post-game handshake line. Instead, please DO a post-game cheer to the other team, to the refs and to the parents around the field's center circle.
- Post-Game Team Talk & Snack Rules
- Please move your post-game team talk well off the field. Make room for the next game and please maintain social distancing, especially if players are drinking with masks down.
- NO post-game snacks allowed. Water only. We know many kids and families will miss the snack ritual, but we need to make sure we keep our players and families healthy so they can continue to attend school and soccer events.
Procedures if a player or volunteer tests positive for COVID or has a COVID exposure
- If a player or volunteer tests positive for COVID or a COVID exposure is suspected, please contact our Medical Committee immediately at reportcovid@ayso76.org If you are not sure, EMAIL US! DON'T ASSUME!
- If a team has a positive case, AYSO will follow LA County guidelines to determine if the players and staff are considered a COVID close contact.
- If you test positive for COVID - You cannot participate in the program UNTIL THE LATER OF 10 days after the positive COVID test AND 10 days after your symptoms first appeared.
- If you are deemed a close contact - Please follow LA County quarantine guidelines.
- Resuming Team Activities - If the team was exposed, team activities can resume 10 days after exposure. All team members, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to provide a weekly negative test result for two weeks from exposure to the case to participate with the team.
- If your child has been asked to quarantine by their school due to COVID close contact, the same is true for AYSO. Please notify us at reportcovid@ayso76.org and follow the close contact procedures above.
We appreciate your understanding and compliance. Please know that we are watching the situation carefully and will continue to proactively share updates as they impact our organization. The safety and security of our soccer community is, and always will be, our highest priority.
Cheers!
Alex Grossman - Regional Commissioner
Ji Lee - Assistant Regional Commissioner
Rick Wolfen - Assistant Regional Commissioner
Frank Chechel - Region 76 COVID Compliance Officer
Registered Users