Return to Play Guidelines – COVID19 Protocol

These guidelines were last updated on August 31th 2021. 

On June 15 2021, CA governor rescinded the reopening tier system (including the stay-at-home order) and replaced it with a new framework, Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors, which all San Francisco Bay Area counties have adopted in their entirety. 

Since these important changes have been implemented, we have been able to resume outdoor operations (grass and beach handball). It is now time for us to start our indoor activities after almost 18 months of inactivity. It is our priority to keep people safe given the current public health conditions while maintaining smooth handball operations.

Here are the modalities regarding our return to indoor activities:

  • All participants (players, coaches, referees, etc.) will need to check in each time before an activity (i.e. practice) through a Google Form and will need to confirm the following to be cleared to attend:
    • You’ve not been diagnosed / tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 10 days
    • You’ve not been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days
    • You do not experience any of the COVID-19 related symptoms.
  • All participants will need to sign Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19, which will be valid for the entire duration of our indoor program.
  • Only those who practice, including coaches, and who are cleared to practice, can attend. No spectators allowed on premises.
  • Every practice will be led by a responsible person, often the head coach. The responsible person is your main point of contact during practice for all things COVID-19 related. Please try to maintain 6 feet distance with your coach as much as possible and whenever possible.
  • If you are back from out-of-state travel, please test (PCR/LAMP/Antigen) upon arrival and present your negative test to the responsible person upon entry in the facility. We recommend all our members participating in indoor activities getting tested regularly and monitoring their health.
  • Face covering is required on school campus, when entering and exiting the gym and in all common areas such as the main hall and restrooms. Participants will need to wear a mask at all times while not actively participating in practice. Wearing a face covering during the practice is optional unless required by the school (and in that case it will be communicated by the Return-To-Play committee). We recommend everyone to follow CDC recommendations on face covering. Please respect people’s decision to wear a face covering. 
  • Maintain good hygiene, e.g. cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue or your elbow. Wash or sanitize your hands prior to and after practice. Don’t share water bottles, towels and other personal equipment. We will have hand sanitizer available at every activity.
  • Immediately leave the activity if you develop or notice any of the COVID-19 related symptoms.
  • Avoid over-crowding indoors and limit using public transportation where the risk of infection is higher.

Testing Protocol: 

  • In order to limit the risk of asymptomatic transmission of the virus all participants (players, coaches, referees, etc.) are required to get tested every four weeks. 

Protocol for participants testing positive for COVID-19

  • If you get COVID-19, stay home, follow reporting obligations of your county/state, notify r2p@calheat.com and quarantine for 7 days. The Return-To-Play committee will reach out to all individuals who have been exposed and ask them to follow CDC recommendations. In order to return to activity the individual needs to complete their quarantine and send a negative PCR test result to r2p@calheat.com.
  • Individuals in close contact (direct contact, exposure in close proximity (within 6 feet) for more than 15 minutes) need to quarantine as well for 5 days and send a negative PCR/LAMP (preferred) or Antigen test result to r2p@calheat.com in order to return to activity.
  • Individuals with no close contact can come back to practice and should monitor symptoms / health over the following days. Please follow CDC testing guidance.

These guidelines are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations and recommendations. These laws, regulations and recommendations, including guidance from the CDC, as well as state, county and public health authorities can change over time; when they do, we will update our guidelines. 

All our activities are voluntary. No one should feel pressured to attend any of our activities. Those who are at high risk, or feel uncomfortable, should avoid those sessions as a measure of precaution.

We appreciate your caring for others and support of a safe and healthy environment. For any questions or concerns, please contact r2p@calheat.com.