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Protocols for Restarting Athletic Activities
Restarting GMHS Athletics
Goal:  We will provide a safe environment for our athletes and coaches that relies on temperature checks, social distancing, and disinfection of equipment to maximize the number of participants in our facilities.
 
Ohio is under a “no-touch” rule. This includes:
  • No high fives
  • Huddles
  • No contact
  • No water fountains (bring water bottles from home filled)
  • Athletes can use the “no-touch” water bottle filler. It must be wiped after each use
  • No congregating or team meetings

The 10-day rule has been modified for the summer of 2020. Skills training and summer practices cannot be made mandatory this year and cannot be used for team selection.

Phase 1- Summer Skills Training ONLY:

SPORT   LOCATION
Football
Volleyball
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Cross Country
Boys Basketball
Boys Baseball
Girls Softball
Track Team
Cheer
Tennis Team  
 
Weight Room / Stadium
Gyms
Weight Room / Stadium
Weight Room / Stadium
Weight Room / Three Creeks
Gyms
Baseball Field
Softball Field
Weight Room / Stadium
Outside field or cafeteria
Tennis Courts

All scheduling of training will be run through the AD office and must be cleared before proceeding to schedule any activities.

GMHS “Areas” to be scheduled through the AD office. Each of the following are considered “areas”:

  • Stadium
  • Main gym
  • Aux gym
  • Weight room
  • Softball field
  • Baseball field
  • Football field (goal line to 50-yard line)
  • Football field (goal line to 50-yard line)

Social Distancing and Safety Procedures for Skills Training (as of June 4, 2020):

All activities in school facilities and on school premises must be performed in accordance with Ohio Department of Health orders, OHSAA guidance, and the procedures described below. These procedures are intended to adhere to ODH and OHSAA requirements, and may be updated as necessary.

Failure to follow any requirement below will result in loss of facility use and activity participation. Additionally, activities conducted by District athletic teams are strictly optional, and team or program selection will not be based on a student’s participation or non-participation during summer activities.

Social Distancing:

  1. Maintain at least six foot spacing between participants and between participants and coaches. When feasible, coaches or program leaders must mark areas with tape or signs to assist participants.
  2. The no-touch rule is in effect. This prohibition includes high fives, handshakes, and group huddles before, during, or after an activity.
    Spectators of any sort are not permitted.
  3. The current gathering limitation is ten (10) people, and no activity can have more than that number of total participants.
  4. Locker room facilities will not be used. Participants should arrive in clothing appropriate for their activity and plan to shower at home afterward.

Facial Coverings:

All participants including coaches must wear facial coverings unless they are actively engaged in aerobic activity. A variety of facial coverings covering the nose, mouth, and chin are acceptable. Coverings may be cloth and/or homemade.

Cleaning and Hygiene:

  1. For shared equipment, participants must wipe down/sanitize equipment between use.
  2. Participants must bring their own water bottle, towel, and other similar items. 
  3. Participants must not share these items, and water fountain use will not be permitted.
  4. Participants must wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer upon first entering school facilities.

Pre-Activity Screening, Arrival, and Departure:

  1. Before arriving, participants must perform a symptom check including taking their  temperature. If they have symptoms consistent with illness, participants must stay home.
  2. Participants will be asked screening questions upon arrival. Failure to answer will result in being asked to leave.
  3. Participants may not arrive more than ten (10) minutes early for their activity, and they should remain in their car until previous groups have cleaned up and left the area.
  4. Participants must leave school grounds as soon as their activity is over.

Facility Preparation:

  1. All locker rooms will be locked
  2. One restroom will be made available
  3. COVID-19 signage will be posted
  4. Equipment will be disinfected prior to use.
  • The weight room will be disinfected for 15 minutes in-between sessions.
  • Any equipment (including balls) that are passed between athletes must be disinfected after workouts.
  • The weight room will be marked for social distancing.

Spectators/Parents:

  • Non-Participants will not be allowed to enter the indoor facilities.
  • Non- Participants will have to wait in the parking lot for their child.

Post Workout Procedures:

  • All indoor participants will either use disinfectant or wash hands when leaving.
  • All participants must leave the building after completion of a workout.
  • We will encourage the use of masks and social distancing out in the parking lot.
  • No congregating is allowed on school property. All athletes must leave school grounds after training.

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases:

  • Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms.
  • Contact the local health office about cases for possible contact tracing.
  • Shutdown area for deep cleaning.
  • Test all suspected infections or exposures.

Notices:
All coaches and athletes using school grounds for spring training will be required to follow this plan and the order from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), titled: “Director’s Orders that Provide Guidance for Baseball, Softball, Batting Cages, Golf Courses, Miniature Golf, Local and Public Pools and Aquatic Centers, Tennis Facilities, Skills Traning for All Sports, and General Non-Contact Sports including Bowling Alleys, with exceptions.”


Effective June 8, 2020