Policies and Procedures 2020-21 Introduction Last updated February 11, 2021 The Atlantic East Conference looks to pursue practice and/or competition opportunities for all student-athletes during the spring semester of 2021. Each athletic department continues to work closely with key University stakeholders. The health and welfare of our student-athletes, athletic departments and campus communities continue to be the priority. This document contains an outline for what will and will not be allowed within the Atlantic East Conference during the spring semester. All plans in this document are subject to change based on new and emerging information. Health and Safety Protocols Under expert guidance and oversight from Team Physicians, sports medicine staff and Student Health Services providers, the Atlantic East has developed health and safety protocols based around 3 guiding principles: testing, risk minimization, and positive test response standards. In collaboration with sports medicine personnel, athletic administrators and coaches, additional risk minimization strategies have been developed for all spring sports and officials. 1. Testing A. Strategies Testing strategies are designed to be directed toward student-athletes and athletics personnel who have regular, close contact with student-athletes. This group of individuals is considered Tier 1, which is the highest exposure tier. Following is a summary explanation of Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 risk categories, which is based on information in a recently published scientific article in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Tier 1: This is the highest exposure tier and consists of individuals for whom physical distancing and face coverings are not possible or effective during athletic training or competition. Examples of relevant individuals include student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials. Tier 2: This is a moderate exposure tier and consists of individuals who come into close contact with Tier 1 individuals but can reasonably maintain physical distance and use face coverings. Examples of relevant individuals include certain team staff (e.g., executives) and certain operational staff (e.g., security, event staff and league staff). Tier 3: This is the lowest exposure tier and includes individuals who provide event services but do not come into close contact with Tier 1 individuals (and should this occur, would be reclassified into Tier 2). Examples of relevant individuals include certain operational staff (e.g., housekeeping, catering, sanitation and transportation) and media/broadcast. Page 2 of 11 Last updated February 11, 2021 B. Symptomatic/ Close Contact All symptomatic student-athletes and athletics staff members should following their institutional reporting procedures for COVID related symptoms or close contact to someone who has tested positive. C. High Risk Sports Indoor (Basketball, Volleyball-not masked) At a minimum each Atlantic East Institutions shall adhere to NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI) testing recommendations for high-risk sports for both preseason practice and for the competitive season. D. Intermediate Risk Sports (Volleyball-masked, Soccer, Baseball, Lacrosse, Softball, Field Hockey) At a minimum each Atlantic East Institutions shall adhere to NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI) testing recommendations for intermediate risk sports. E. Low Risk Sports (Swimming, Cross Country, Outdoor Track, Tennis, Golf) At a minimum each Atlantic East Institutions shall adhere to NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI) testing recommendations for low-risk sports. F. Previous COVID-19 Infection Atlantic East Conference member institutions will not be required to retest individuals who tested positive within the past 90 days because after completing an appropriate isolation period, a test might still produce a positive result but the individual is no longer infectious to others. Additionally, the risk of reinfection within 90 days is low. When the 90 exemption period expires, the identified individual(s) can return to the normal testing cadence. G. Testing Infrastructure and Reporting The following sections outline the standards for testing infrastructure at for Atlantic East Conference members as well as reporting procedures. i. Securing testing supplies/labs Each member institution will be responsible for securing testing supplies, testing lab access (if required), and the personnel to conduct the testing, reporting and contact tracing. ii. Type of test or testing method Each member institution has the autonomy to use the type of test and testing method as long as it adheres to the minimums set forth by the NCAA Sports Science Institute iii. Reporting cases to the conference office and/or other athletic departments Page 3 of 11 Last updated February 11, 2021 It is essential to have open and transparent information exchange between all Atlantic East Conference members. These policies respect the need for individual privacy of medical information, but also recognize the need for information exchange. Each institution should plan to report the following: • If a Tier 1 individual tests positive for COVID-19 within 7 days of a competition, the Director of Athletics or Head Athletic Trainer will notify the opponent(s) (AD and Head Athletic Trainer). A plan to cancel, reschedule or resume the competition will be discussed by athletic administrators and/ or conference office. • The Director of Athletics or Head Athletic Trainer must notify all previous opponents (AD and Head Athletic Trainer) of any post competition positive test if contact tracing determines that individuals from any opponents meet the close contact standard. • The Director of Athletics or Head Athletic Trainer must also notify, as a courtesy, all previous opponents (AD and Head Athletic Trainer) where incidental contact may have occurred within 14 days prior to the positive test. • Each member institution is required to notify the conference office when a team is precluded from further athletics activity for a specified period of time or indefinitely. 2. General Risk Minimization Minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission will continue to be the ultimate goal. The plan to safely resume athletic activities includes the following mitigation strategies for shared spaces, equipment, travel and positive COVID-19 cases: ● Daily Screening: All student-athletes, athletics personnel and officials should complete a daily symptom screening ● Masks: All individuals are required to wear a mask to and from athletic activities. Masks will be required during practices and on the benches/ sideline during competitions. Student-athletes will be encouraged to wear a mask during competition. Volleyball student-athletes are required to wear a mask during competitions. Coaches, event staff, athletics personnel and officials will wear masks at all times. Neck gaiters (exception see men’s lacrosse) and face shields will not be acceptable during athletic activities. Surgical masks, N-95 masks or cloth face masks are acceptable ● Social Distancing: All individuals are required to observe at minimum 6 feet of social distancing when possible ● Game Balls: Game balls will only be used for games and when needed, will undergo a cleaning ● Locker Rooms: Locker rooms will not be available for practice or competitions other than swimming on a restricted basis ● Facility Cleaning: Each institution will be responsible for ensuring their athletic facilities are cleaned on a regular basis each day ● Equipment Cleaning: Equipment will be cleaned by designated individuals after each practice or competition using EPA approved product. “Equipment” refers to all tables, chairs, balls, hoops/ goals, stationary bikes, white boards, markers, etc... ● Travel Roster: Only participating student-athletes will travel (i.e. injured/ ill student-athletes and personnel not deemed essential will not be on the travel roster). Athletic Trainers will only travel with men’s lacrosse for regular season games and post-season games for all other spring sports. Page 4 of 11 Last updated February 11, 2021 ● Athletic Training: Each member institution will communicate in advance what services will be available (i.e. taping, water, moist heat, ice bags, towels, etc…) ● Charter Bus Travel: The Atlantic East Conference encourages all of their member institutions to adhere to bus company policy and procedures. This includes decreasing the size of the travel roster if necessary. Masks during travel on charter busses will be required. All members of each travel party will be required to show proof of a completed daily screening before departure. A seating chart needs to be developed by each head coach ● Fans: There will be no fans at any event with the exception of senior day/night where each senior will be allowed to bring 2 guests to that game. Senior day celebrations should follow all campus Covid protocols, including masking. ● Hydration: Hands free water options are encouraged for sideline cooler use. If hands free options are unavailable teams are responsible for providing their own water (i.e. case(s) of bottled water). Water bottles and/ or cups will not be provided by host institutions ● Open Gyms, Captain’s Practices and Pick-Up Games: With student-athlete health and safety being the priority, open gyms, captain’s practices and pick-up game opportunities will not be permitted during the spring semester ● Meals during Travel: Teams are not permitted to sit down in restaurants for a meals.