The GFL is committed to the health and safety for everyone in our GFL Family. We have developed, in partnership with our medical advisors a comprehensive plan outlining and detailing the requirements to address Covid19 that all member associations, coaches, and volunteers must implement and enforce. We invite you to report any noncompliance issues and concerns you have. OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS THE HEALTH & SAFETY OF OUR PLAYERS, CHEERLEADERS, COACHES, VOLUNTEERS, PARENTS, AND FANS!!

GFL COVID GUIDELINES

*Disclaimer- These guidelines are put together with the most current information gathered from the CDC and/or the GCPS guidelines and recommendations on how to deal with a COVID case, and COVID exposure. These guidelines are subject to change when recommendations are updated and are put together within the best interest of the individuals involved in the Gwinnett Football League. The safety of the individuals in the Gwinnett Football League is the top priority.

Purpose: To align the GFL COVID guidelines with the current GCPS COVID guidelines.

Close contact:

• Anyone who was within 6 feet of the positive or probable case for greater than 15 total minutes

Symptoms:

• Fever (greater than 100.4) or chills
• New uncontrolled cough
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• New onset of severe headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

Types of exposure:

1. Household exposure
2. Inside exposure (including carpooling, sleepovers, inside birthday parties, etc)
3. Outside exposure
4. School exposure

Household exposure:

-If a member of the household is positive, all members of the household are considered close contacts and will need to quarantine. 

• The quarantine period for a contact to a positive case begins on the last date that they were exposed to a positive or probable case while the person was infectious 
• If an athlete/coach is not able to self-isolate away from them in the home (for example a young child), the last date of exposure occurs when the case has recovered (10 days from date symptoms started or if no symptoms then from the date the test was performed).

Inside exposure:

• If an athlete/coach, who was a confirmed/probable case and the close contact(s) were both wearing masks while inside then the contact will not have to quarantine as long as they have no symptoms.
• If the athlete/coach was determined a close contact, inside, with both the confirmed case and the close contact not wearing a mask, the contact will have to quarantine. This includes carpooling.
• To remain in sports, the athlete/coach has to remain without symptoms

Outside exposure:

• All exposure will be evaluated on a case-by-case scenario.
• If the positive athlete/coach was symptomatic during the exposure to the team, the risk increases.
• If the positive athlete/coach was not symptomatic during the exposure to the team, the risk decreases.
• If the exposure was within 48 hours of symptoms developed, the team will be asked to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. A letter will be sent to the team. No member of the team should come to practice or a game if they are experiencing ANY symptoms.

School exposure:

• An athlete/coach who has been contacted by a school and given quarantine instructions should follow those instructions.
• The athlete/coach may return to the GFL when they are allowed to resume school and extracurricular activities at school.

Options for Returning from quarantine:

• Athlete/Coach can return after a full 7 days have passed since the last day of exposure. (Day 1 is the day after the most recent exposure occurred with return on Day 8), if ALL THREE of the following criteria have been met:

1) The athlete/coach has been tested for COVID-19…

• Diagnostic molecular or antigen test
• Test must be conducted on or after Day 5 (test no earlier than Day 5)
• Negative test result obtained

                                                                                 AND

2) The athlete/coach has received a negative result and provided documentation

                                                                                AND

3) The athlete/coach has not experienced any symptoms during the 7 day quarantine period

                                                                                OR

• Return to sports can occur after 10 full days have passed since the last day of exposure (Day 1 is the day after the most recent exposure occurred with return on Day 11), if BOTH of the following criteria have been met:

1) The athlete/coach has NOT tested for COVID-19

                                                                                  AND

2) The athlete/coach has not experienced any symptoms during the 10 day quarantine period

Returning from positive COVID diagnosis:

• 10 days have passed since the first day that symptoms started or test date if no symptoms. (Day 1 is the day after the day symptoms started)

AND

• 24 hours fever free (without the aid of fever reducing medication)

AND

• Improvement of other symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath)

Exceptions to the rules:

The following individuals are NOT required to quarantine after exposure to a positive or probable case:

• Anyone who is fully-vaccinated (2 weeks have passed since the last dose of a 2-dose vaccine or 1-dose of a 1 dose vaccine)
• Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the 90 days prior to the exposure
• Any athlete/coach who was wearing a mask correctly and consistently while within 3-6 feet of the positive or probable case and the case was also wearing a mask.

****It is important to inform all of these individuals to monitor for symptoms in the 14 days following exposure. If symptoms develop, they should isolate immediately and the DPH recommends immediate testing

***If someone has been positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to becoming a contact to a case or they are fully vaccinated (2 weeks have passed since last dose of vaccine) or both athletes/coaches were wearing masks they do NOT have to be excluded from sports as long as they do not have symptoms.  If they are symptomatic, the person should isolate and be tested

Questions to ask if a positive case is reported to you:

1. Is the athlete/coach experiencing any symptoms? If so, when did they start?
2. If not experiencing any symptoms, when was the date of the test that resulted positive?
3. When was the last time the athlete/coach was around the team?
4. Was the athlete/coach around the team (within 6 feet) for 15 mins total or more?
5. Has the athlete/coach had any exposure to another player/coach outside of football/cheer within 48 hours prior to symptom onset or positive test result?

Questions to ask for a close contact (a member of the household tested positive):

1. When did the positive person test positive or start experiencing symptoms?
2. Is the positive member isolated away from other family members? If so, when was the last exposure to the positive family member?

What can you do to help mitigate the spread?

1. While inside (practice, film, gatherings, meetings, etc) all players and coaches need to wear a mask. This will help with contact tracing and the ability for a team to continue
2. Social distance while on the sidelines, in practice, and in games
3. Keep full group interaction limited
4. Try to keep football in pods if able or do drills vs full contact practices
5. Have athletes/coaches wear mask

The GFL is asking for your help. Due to ongoing concerns regarding Covid19, we are implementing enhanced safety and screening measures to reduce the likelihood of a possible exposure to our players, cheerleaders, coaches, parents, and volunteers. WE NEED YOUR HELP!! If you, your child, or a member of your household is ill, please stay home until you can determine the nature/cause of the illness. If you, your child, or a member of your household have been told they have (or may have) been exposed to an individual that has tested positive for Covid19, please stay home until a risk determination can be made by the medical advisor for the GFL. If you, your child, or a member of your household are waiting the results from a test, please stay home until a risk determination can be made by the medical advisor for the GFL. The GFL is working hard to ensure the safety and welfare of our entire GFL Family. Please help us with these simple steps for the safety of everyone. Your help and cooperation is greatly appreciated and can help to ensure our players and cheerleaders can practice, prepare, and compete uninterrupted throughout the season. OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY REMAINS THE SAFETY OF OUR ENTIRE GFL FAMILY!!

Know how it spreads

• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone Should

Wash your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
• Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
  • Do not gather in groups.
  • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
  • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.