COVID Protocols

***2022-2023 protocols to be announced once the school boards advise***  check back here for updates 

Naismith Basketball COVID PROTOCOLS 2021/2022

COVID protocols will align with provincial health regulations, where these regulations allow for flexibility or are not clearly defined, we will adhere to the protocols established by the facility manager and/or the governing association (OBA/EOB) This will mean the following: 

• ALL players, coaches and managers aged 12 and older must be fulling vaccinated in order to enter all facility. Proof of vaccination will be mandatory before attending your team’s first practice session. (EXCEPTIONS would only be for Religious or Medical Exemptions with proper, official paperwork).
• At this time, athletes under 12 do not have to be vaccinated. This may be subject to change as we will align with provincial healthy regulations, facility manager and or the governing association such as the OBA.
• At all times, masks must be worn upon entrance by all and players may temporarily remove the mask for periods of vigorous exercise or sporting activity. Coaches and other team personnel must wear a mask at all times.  Players under 12 will be fully masked at all times when entering, playing and exiting facilities.  This is subject to change as we closely follow the directions and align ourselves with any updates given by the Health Unit and Ontario Basketball.  
• Use of a Virtual Health Screening Tool will be mandatory before attending each event. Do not come to training if you are feeling sick. Anyone showing or experiencing signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to train or access the training environment.
• ABSOLUTELY NO SPECTATORS ARE ALLOWED IN FACILITIES AT THIS TIME. This is a directive from The School Boards and Naismith Basketball will respect their wishes. Should their policy change, we will gladly update ours.
• Follow all government rules and guidance (federal, provincial, municipal, local & provincial public health units).
• If possible, arrive at training on your own, using private transportation. If you are unable to drive yourself, please have only 1 parent/guardian/family member that lives with you drive you to the venue. They will not be permitted into the participant-only zones (past the screening checkpoint) and must respect physical distancing at all times while on venue.
• Arrive shortly before training (no sooner than 10 mins prior), ready to train. Try to prepare yourself for training at home (training attire, washroom, equipment prep and check). “Hanging out” will not be permitted. You will be asked to remain in your car until the screening area is ready to accept participants. Once you have passed the screening, you will be directed to a waiting area with proper physical distancing measures outside the field, until it is your turn to be permitted on the field.
• Follow all signs and directions for field entry, exit, and access.
• Physical distancing is strongly encouraged at all times and masking is required when they can be worn safely based on the activity.  A minimum of 2-metre distance must be maintained at all times between all participants (athletes, coaches, support staff). Respect all ground markers that have been laid out to delineate 2-metre physical distancing. Exceptions: depending on what level of restriction the training environment’s region is in, athletes may be permitted to come within 2-metres of each other only when directly engaged in a training drill/activity (only if in Green/Yellow/Orange level of restriction).
• All participants are to practice proper hand hygiene: Frequent hand-washing (minimum of 20 seconds), Use hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol content) when hand-washing is not possible, hands must be disinfected before and after training, before and after touching your mouth guard, after touching any shared equipment, during all water-breaks, any time you leave and return to the participant-only zone(s). Avoid removing/adjusting your mouth guard unless you are in your designated “storage space”. Use hand-sanitizer before and after touching your mouth guard
• Sneezing or coughing into your shoulder/elbow,
• Avoid physical contact celebrations. Refrain from handshakes, hugs, and high-fives.
• Avoid sharing equipment. Do not share towels, clothing, and other personal items. It is recommended that athletes bring their own pinnies/change-of-colour shirts for drills in which different “teams” need to be delineated.
• Do not share water bottles. Bring your own water bottle from home and be prepared to have extra water on hand. Depending on the venue, there may not be a way to refill water bottles (i.e. water fountains out of order/closed, indoor facilities remain closed). Label your water bottle and be aware of where it is. Keep it in your designated storage space, rather than in a group of water bottles. Organizations may need to have extra plastic water bottles on hand for individuals that may need more water. Participants will be responsible for refilling their own water bottles (i.e. support staff/team manager/non-household member spectator will not be permitted to refill water bottles)Do not use team water bottles or keep water bottles in a group.
• Return home directly after training. Do not linger at the venue. Cool-down can be completed while maintaining physical distancing. Focus on the task at hand rather than using this as a time to chat and debrief. Team meetings, gatherings, and debriefs should be completed via virtual means. “Get in, train, get out”

IF A PLAYER DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS DURING A SESSION THEY WILL BE SEPARATED AND PARENTS WILL BE CONTACTED FOR PICK-UP.  IF WITHIN 72 HRS OF A DROP-IN A PLAYER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, OR IS IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH-RISK CONTACT OF A POSITIVE CASE, PLEASE NOTIFY OUR President  IMMEDIATELY.

If within 72 hours of a game/practice, a player tests positive for COVID-19 OR has been identified as a high risk contact for a positive case COVID-19, the family is required to contact our President.  Upon notification, the local health unit will be contacted and given all necessary contact tracing information.