Return To Play Protocol

Last Revised: Monday, August 17, 2020

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GENERAL INFORMATIONWelcome back! We look forward to hosting your team at one of our upcoming events. Please be sure to review this document in its entirety prior to the start of the event and arriving at the venue. This document contains pertinent information regarding new safety measures, precautions, rules, and regulations that Elite Tournaments has put in place to help mitigate risk and prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

During these ever-changing times, Elite Tournaments remains committed to providing high-quality events for teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Coaches, players, and spectators alike should expect to see changes made to tournament rules, facility layouts, and more to ensure that Elite Tournaments is remaining compliant with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state, and local regulations. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and flexibility in adhering to these new regulations, as they are put forth for the protection of everyone’s health and safety.

Large gatherings (such as soccer tournaments) create an increased risk of exposure, infection, and spread of COVID-19 according to CDC and state and local health officials. While the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be completely eliminated, Elite Tournaments is dedicated to the mitigation and reduction of risk in order to host and operate the safest event possible. By arriving on-site at this event, attendees knowingly and freely accept these risks. Please reference the “COVID-19” tab on the Elite Tournaments website for additional information and resources.

The information in this document is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, are provided for general informational purposes only. The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, Elite Tournaments makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information. Further, you should seek advice from medical professionals and/or public health officials if you have specific questions about your return to training and competition.

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who have contracted the Coronavirus (COVID-19) can show a variety of symptoms, or even be asymptomatic. Symptoms may appear within 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

• New loss of taste or smell• Sore throat• Congestion or runny nose• Nausea or vomiting• Diarrhea

• Fever or chills• Cough• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing• Fatigue• Muscle or body aches• Headache

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GENERAL INFORMATIONWHEN NOT TO ATTEND AN ELITE TOURNAMENTS EVENTWhile we would love for everyone to be able to attend our events, Elite Tournaments takes the health and safety of players, coaches, spectators, staff, and other attendees very seriously. You should not attend the event if any of the items below are applicable to you.

• You have experienced any of the above symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days

• You cannot follow or maintain proper social distancing guidelines

• You are unable to or refuse to wear a face mask

• You have been exposed to COVID-19 within the past 14 days

• You are categorized as a high-risk individual (compromised immune system, respiratory issues, diabetic, etc.)

• You are over the age of 65 and/or have underlying health risks

FACE MASK/COVERING REQUIREMENTSIn accordance with expanded state mask requirements, Elite Tournaments is implementing the following guidelines regarding the wearing of face masks/coverings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Required at all times includes but not limited to the parking lot, restrooms, concessions, apparel sales lines, moving throughout the facility, sidelines, etc.

• Refusal to comply with the above requirements will result in removal from venue and team will forfeit match without refund.

• Staff: Required at all times• Coaches: Required throughout venue, required

during games• Players: Required throughout venue, not

required during warm-ups and game play• Spectators: Required at all times• Referees: Required throughout venue, not

required during game play

WHAT TO BRING TO AN EVENTBelow you will find a list of items to bring to your upcoming tournament.

Dont’s: • Shared water coolers prohibited • Team benches prohibited• Tents prohibited • Bleachers prohibited

Do’s: • Face mask/covering (required for ALL

attendees)• Personal water bottles • Food and snacks – vendors and concessions

may be limited on-site• Personal Umbrella• Hand Sanitizer and/or disinfectant wipes• Personal Chairs

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PROPER MASK ETIQUETTE

INCORRECT

CORRECT

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ARRIVAL TO VENUE• All attendees should conduct a self-evaluation for COVID-19 symptoms and check their

temperature before arriving on-site• Teams should arrive to venue at designated temperature check time prior to their first match

each day.• After first match of the day, teams should not arrive to their field more than 30 minutes prior to

the designated start time.• Contact tournament director if your team has issues with designated temperature check time.• All team check-in processes will be completed online through GotSoccer. No on-site check-in will

be allowed.

TEMPERATURE CHECKS• ALL participants and anyone with sideline access (referees, staff, coaches, players) are required

to have their temperature checked upon arrival to venue• Temperatures will be checked each day of the tournament prior to the team’s first game• Those whose checked temperature is 100.0 degrees or higher will be required to leave the venue

for the day.• Those required to have temperature checks will be given a wristband to wear indicating their

temperatures have been checked. If wristband is lost, temperatures will need to be rechecked.

RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL

Temperature Check Example

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PLAYERS/COACHES• Coaches on sideline and players not in game should maintain adequate social distancing in team

bench area• No shared equipment or water bottles• Team huddles and handshakes are not permitted • Teams must exit the field immediately after the game ends• Spitting is prohibited on and off the field • One player per team can attend the pre-game coin toss• Coaches are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer for quick sanitation during, between,

and after games• Players and coaches are encouraged to apply hand sanitizer when coming on and off the field, as

well as after each game• Player equipment should be labeled to avoid confusion and contamination• No group photos permitted

SPECTATORS• Must maintain appropriate social distancing (minimum of 6 ft.) and sit within designated

spectator area. • Tailgating is not permitted • Elite Tournaments reserves the right to remove spectators from the venue at any time• Only one parent or guardian is permitted to attend event with participant to reduce volume of

spectators and maintain adequate social distancing• No group photos permitted• No tents allowed – personal umbrellas are permitted • Spectators are encouraged to bring their own personal hand sanitizer and/or disinfectant wipes.• Spectators should have personal items labeled• Lost and found items will not be kept.

REFEREES• Referees must have their temperature checked before each game • Only one referee will conduct the coin toss • No hand shaking or huddling permitted • Must give the final score to the field marshal verbally• Must bring their own water bottles • Encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer • Encouraged to wear masks while on the field but not required• Referees are encouraged to re sanitize coming on and off the field (halftime)• Required have temperature checked and report to HQ before going to assigned field.• Temperature checks will be conducted prior to the referee’s first game each day

RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL

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APPAREL SALES• All sales final. No returns or exchanges.• Touchless sales will be implemented on site• Cashless transactions will be implemented to eliminate the exchange of unsanitary money.• Square stands and chip readers will be used for customers to insert their own card• Customers must maintain appropriate social distancing while waiting in line • Contactless ordering (webstore/pre-orders) are strongly encouraged• Strongly encourage customers to sanitize hands before and after leaving the sales tent

LEAVING THE VENUE• Follow appropriate directional guidance• No congregating in large groups when exiting the venue• All participants/spectators must leave the venue once their games are finished for the day• Participants and spectators are strongly encouraged not to linger around venue or near exit once

games are completed. • Awards will be given to coach by field marshal. No awards ceremonies will be conducted prior to

departure from venue. • Spectators and participants are strongly encouraged to sanitize their hands when leaving the

venue.

CONFIRMED CASES• If you test positive or begin to show symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of attending an Elite

Tournaments event, notify the tournament director immediately.• If a player or coach tests positive for COVID-19 during the event, all other players and coaches

with their team will be required to get tested for COVID-19 before they will be allowed to play any matches. Confirmed negative results for each player and coach must be provided to tournament director before team will be allowed to play any matches.

• Failure to comply with the above regulation will result in removal from tournament without refund.

• State and local health departments will be notified of potential exposure. • Names and identifying information regarding those with confirmed cases will not be released to

the public.• Work with local health department in identifying all potentially exposed individuals to help with

contact tracing process.

RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL

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SAMPLE FIELD SETUP

Team BenchMaintain 6 ft Distance

Referee Area

Team BenchMaintain 6 ft Distance

Spectator SectionMaintain 6 ft Distance