COVID Action Plan

The West Des Moines Lacrosse Club has fashioned the following action plan to ensure players and coaches play in a safe and thoughtful manner.  This CAP addresses our planned play this spring although the timing and requirements of the resumption could change as well as this CAP.  

The Club is staying abreast of federal, state and local public health guidelines and mandates. The Club will also follow local guidance from school districts, state athletic associations and US Lacrosse.  The CAP has incorporated select guidelines from the US Lacrosse “Return to Play” recommendations available in their entirety at:

https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/safety/return-to-playfinal-1.pdf

The Club is confident that with the cooperation of parents, players and coaches, the plan will help mitigate the COVID19 transmission risk and keep us on the lacrosse fields. 

General Guidelines

1. Each player must complete registration with The Club and have a current US Lacrosse membership before taking party in club activities.  The COIVD liability and hold harmless waiver has been incorporated into registration and thus agreed to upon completion.
2. Players, parents and coaches should be pre-screened at home before taking part in any practices, games or team activities.  Players, parents, and coaches should stay at home if they are feeling sick or experiencing the following COVID-19 symptoms:
   • Cough
   • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
   • Fever of 100.3 degrees or higher
   • Chills
   • Muscle pain
   • Sore throat
   • New loss of taste or smell

(Note: If uncertain about his or her health or whether symptomatic, the player, parent or coach should err on the side of caution and not attend the team activity.)

3. Players should arrive dressed and ready to participate. Parents should drop off players close to start times, and pick up close to end times to avoid player congregations before and after practices.  
4. Any parents that remain should stay in their vehicles or otherwise practice social distancing as a spectator.
5. Masks will be worn at all times by coaches, managers, and any volunteers taking part in team activities.  Although optional once physical activity starts, players should wear masks upon arrival and immediately following the completion of practices and games.
6. Players will be asked to place gear to meet social distancing practices.  Players must bring their own water bottle.  No food may be brought to share at any team activity. 
7. Parents and players should sanitize their equipment after every use.  The Club will provide sanitizer options (spray, wipes, etc.) if needed during the course of play.   

Practice Guidelines

1. The Club will consult with its coaches to fashion safe and efficient practices, and eventually allow for scrimmages, and possibly games against other clubs if conditions warrant.   
2. Coaches will develop efficient practice plans that will include:

• Stressing social distancing and avoiding huddles, hand shakes, fist-bumps, high-fives, chest-bumps, or other situations including drills where physical contact can be avoided.
• Avoiding players standing around by engaging as many players as possible at the same time in the activity.   
• Avoiding the sharing of equipment when possible.
• Sanitizing any equipment owned or provided by the club before use.  

3. The Club will follow facilities guidelines when conducting indoor practices and meetings.

Other Guidelines

1. The Club is proceeding with spring games as conducted during pre-COVID including local and travel games.  All appropriate safety measures will be taken and local, state and school guidelines followed.  All schedules are subject to change.
2. Any spectators for games would be expected to practice social distancing.  (Note: The hosting club will probably provide more details and directions to players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators prior to the contest. Our club will evaluate the precautions being taken by the host club and venue before deciding to take part.)      
3. If a player or coach gets sick, tests positive, or is exposed to the virus, he or she must immediately notify the Club.  If he or she tests positive or is exposed, the player or coach will quarantine themselves in accordance with public health guidelines, and not return to team activities until their quarantine period is over, and they have tested negative for the virus.*
4. In the event the Club believes an infected or exposed player, coach, parent or official has taken part in a club activity, it will make a good faith effort to immediately notify those that have taken part in the event.  
5. The Club will thoroughly communicate the CAP to parents, players, coaches, and officials, and will monitor compliance.  It reserves the right to enforce compliance and will take corrective action if a participant fails to comply.  

* Per US Lacrosse recommendations: players, coaches or officials with any COVID-19 symptoms must be at least 14 days postpositive test, with a minimum of 72 hours symptoms free in order to return. Individuals require clearance from a licensed medical professional before return to play is granted. A close contact no longer needs to quarantine for 14 days IF the close contact AND the person who tested positive for COVID-19 were properly wearing face masks during the time of exposure. The close contact must also monitor for symptoms and not return if symptoms start. This new change ONLY applies if both people were wearing face masks. Gaiters or face shields are no longer considered equally as safe. This means if one or both of the people were wearing a gaiter or face shield, the 14-day quarantine would still apply.