The CJSA emphasizes that this plan is fluid and in an ongoing state of evaluation. COVID health metrics and data in Connecticut will continue to be closely monitored and the appropriateness of holding youth sports or necessary safety measures can change at any time.
Vaccination of all eligible athletes, coaches, and officials is currently the most important mitigation strategy we have available for preventing COVID-19 outbreaks on youth sports teams, and in the surrounding communities that support them. The more athletes, coaches, officials, and supporting family members who are vaccinated, the more likely youth sports teams will be able to avoid repeated quarantines and testing of participants, to keep practicing and playing throughout the season, and to get back to a “new normal” for youth sports in our state. One major perk for getting vaccinated: individuals who are vaccinated do not need to quarantine if exposed to a COVID-19 case.
QUICK FACTS:
• Everyone aged 12 and older is now eligible for vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.html
• The Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for youth aged 12 and older. It requires two shots, scheduled 3 weeks apart, which means athletes and coaches should get vaccinated now to be ready for the Fall sport season.
• COVID-19 vaccines are safe, very effective, readily available, and free! Find the vaccine location nearest to you: https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal?language=en_US
• Remember: Fully vaccinated people do not have to quarantine or test after a known exposure to COVID-19, as long as they remain asymptomatic.
Masks
In alignment with current youth sport recommendations, athletes, regardless of vaccination status, will not be required to wear masks during outdoor activities, practice, or competition. There is no requirement outdoors for bench personnel or spectators.
When indoors (indoor practice, games, etc.) masks should be worn in alignment with current executive orders pertaining to mask requirements.
Spectator Attendance
Notwithstanding the above, permissible spectator attendance and regulations may be governed by local club, facility and or local municipality.
Quarantine, Contacts, Isolation Fully vaccinated players/coaches who are a close contact with a known COVID-19 case do not have to quarantine from sports or other activities, provided they remain asymptomatic after close contact with a known COVID-19 case and wear a mask until receiving a negative COVID-19 test (taken between days 3 and 5 from the date of contact) or 14 days without a test. Unvaccinated players/coaches who remain asymptomatic after close contact with a known COVID-19 case will need to quarantine for 10 days (with a negative test between days 7 and 10) or 14 days without a test. Vaccinated and unvaccinated players/coaches who experience COVID-19 symptoms after close contact with a known COVID-19 case will need to quarantine for 10 days (with a negative test between days 7 and 10) or 14 days without a test.
To read the full document put forth by CJSA, go to CJSA Fall 2021 COVID Guidance Document.