• If you are sick or have been around others who are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, stay home.
• Parents, players, officials, and coaches should not congregate on the fields, in parking lots, or inside facilities between games.

Reduce physical closeness between players when possible

• Limit full contact between players to game days (avoid during practice).
• Increase space between players in the practice areas, including on the sideline and bench.
• Avoid high fives, handshakes, fist bumps or hugs.
• Don’t spit.
• Don’t share towels, clothing, or any items used to wipe your face or hands.

Minimize sharing of equipment or gear

• Keep belongings separated from others, like your gym bag and equipment, when not in use.
• Clean and disinfect shared items between use.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, before and after practices or games and before and after sharing equipment.

Practice social distancing and use cloth face coverings, when appropriate

• Don’t touch your cloth face covering. If you do, clean your hands using hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• For outdoor sports – face coverings are not required.
• For indoor sports – players do not need to wear a face covering/mask on the field of play unless they choose to do so. Players and officials must wear a face covering/mask on the sideline. Parents, coaches, and sports staff must always wear cloth face coverings. Referees and umpires must wear face coverings when arriving and departing.

Managing concerns and expectations about play

• For some, heading back to practice and play might bring up feelings of stress and anxiety. Athletes, coaches or others may have fears of contracting COVID-19 or passing it on to others.
• Talk to the team frequently about precautions and safety on and off the field.
• Communicate rules about masking and physical distancing clearly and frequently with parents and coaches.
• Share resources for information about COVID-19 regularly (CDC.gov/coronavirus, coronavirus.maryland.gov, https://charlescountyhealth.org/coronavirus-disease-covid19/).

If a player, official or coach tests positive for COVID-19

• Notify the league commissioner immediately. As such, the individual will be required to self-quarantine for 5 days.
• If any coaches, staff members, umpires/officials, or players get sick, they should not return until they have met CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation.
• If a player, umpire, or staff display or report any COVID-19 symptoms while the program is ongoing, onsite staff will follow our accident and incident reporting procedures, and if possible, will directly contact the Risk Management Office.
• The Recreation office will then determine if any other teams in the league will be required to quarantine and/or if games can proceed as scheduled. Further consideration will take place regarding players that play in multiple leagues and sports.
• If games must be postponed, Recreation staff will attempt to make up postponed games will be made taking into consideration inclement weather and time of the year. All scheduled games may not be completed due to space and time regulations.

For health questions about COVID-19, call the Health Department COVID-19 information line at 301-609-6717 or visit http://www.charlescountyhealth.org/