Best Practices for YOUTH SPORTS OPEN FOR YOUTH SPORTS • This guidance is specifically addressed for Youth and Amateur Sports Gatherings and Events described in the CDC Guidance on Considerations for Youth Sports. • Youth sporting events and tournaments that do not meet the license requirements of a youth camp per COMAR 10.16.06 are subject to MDH order 2020-06-12-01 and should properly socially distance with no general public audiences. All events and tournaments may be subject to more restrictive requirements from the local health office per Executive Order 20-04-05-02. • Develop a plan or checklist for reopening of outdoor facilities on June 12, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. and indoor facilities on June 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. that is consistent with CDC guidance that includes: • Staff training should be online as much as possible. For in person training, follow appropriate CDC and MDH guidelines regarding social distancing and COVID-19 prevention.   • Leave policies, absenteeism, and staff screening.  • Communications and signage. • Routine and frequent environmental cleaning and disinfecting, especially for high-touch surfaces, in accordance with CDC recommendations. • Physical facility evaluation for any damage or issues caused by vacancy. Follow CDC and Maryland Department of the Environment guidance on reopening buildings, including checking mechanical air and water/ice systems. Ensure all water lines are flushed, including equipment water lines and connections, according to manufacturer’s instructions.  Ensure building ventilation meets appropriate standards.  • Social distancing protocols and procedures with staff, vendors, and guests, with special consideration for entrances and exits, bottlenecks, facility layouts and safe capacity limits.  • Facial covering requirements for participants and staff.  • Routine and frequent environmental cleaning and disinfecting, especially high-touch surfaces, in accordance with CDC recommendations.  • Develop a plan for vendors to bring products safely into the facility by arranging for deliveries when there are the fewest staff, and youth athletes.  OPEN FOR EMPLOYEES • Staff and volunteers should be trained in, and understand current COVID-19 health and workplace guidelines, such as hand hygiene and cleaning protocols, along with proper PPE use and disposal.  • Implement a daily screening process for staff and youth athletes, which includes CDC or MDH recommended health questions, and consider temperature testing.  • Direct staff and parents/guardians of youth athletes to follow CDC and state guidelines regarding home isolation for suspected or confirmed COVID infections.  • Encourage staff to maintain social distancing, including during breaks, and modify procedures to avoid staff congregation.   • Staff should be alert for heat-related signs and symptoms and consider additional protective measures for hot and Code Red days. • Connect with State and local authorities to ensure that all licenses and inspections are up-to-date prior to opening.  • Facility capacity may be limited based upon Executive Order or other local government guidance.  For more information go to open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness 06.16.2020 Best Practices for YOUTH SPORTS • Require face coverings when interacting with other staff, youth athletes, and parents/guardians, particularly if social distancing cannot be assured. If they can be worn safely and consistently, youth athletes age 9 and older should wear face coverings, with the following considerations: • Level of physical activity • Health issues – asthma, other conditions affecting breathing • Outdoor temperature – face coverings are not recommended when outside on very hot days due to the risk of heat injury • Ability to maintain distance. • Train staff on the proper responses to those who challenge social distancing, facial covering, and other protocols.  OPEN FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING • Keep each group separate from other groups using physical distance, limit or eliminate using shared areas during breaks, and limit the number of people in shared bathroom or locker facilities to minimize exposure. • Individual groups or teams should not exceed the limit of the sports’ sanctioning organization. Group members and teams should limit mixing when possible (that is, try to avoid rearranging group members, even during scrimmages or games). OPEN FOR CLEANLINESS AND COMFORT • Increase cleaning and disinfecting, especially frequently and touched surfaces, in accordance with  CDC guidelines.    • Clean and disinfect equipment after each use.  • Minimize congregating in common areas through signage, barriers, and employee communications. Restrict access to areas where social distancing and social gatherings requirements cannot be followed. • Make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available to parents/guardians, staff, and youth athletes, including at the entrance of the facility and at bathroom facilities. • Consider staggered practice and training times to minimize bottlenecks at entrances and exits of facilities.     • Minimize team huddles, high fives, and handshakes or other close contact activities. • Parents/guardians and family are allowed to attend practice, trainings, and games but should ensure that proper social distancing is maintained. The sports gatherings and events are not open to the general public.  • For contact sports (e.g., wrestling, basketball, and football), play should be modified to safely increase distance between players following CDC guidance.  • Post signage advising guests to not enter the facility if they are sick or symptomatic.  OPEN FOR COMMUNICATION • Communicate commitment to cleanliness by posting compliance adherence to CDC’s guidelines, including social distancing, handwashing, cough and sneeze hygiene, cleaning and disinfection.  • Show everyone care by having signage that details social distancing protocol and COVID-19 prevention.  • Communicate with parents or guardians, staff, and youth athletes on the measures taken for their comfort and on the shared responsibility to monitor their health and stay home if not feeling well. All Executive Orders still in effect must be complied with. See most up to date orders here: governor.maryland.gov/covid-19pandemic-orders-and-guidance. For more information go to open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness 06.16.2020