• Return to Activities Plan UPDATED 8/11
• Return to Activities Appendix UPDATED 8/19

Mask Wearing:

• Common Mask Mistakes Video
• How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings

Hand Washing:

• When and How to Wash Your Hands
• Fight Germs. Wash Your Hands Video

Social Distancing:

• How Far Is 6 Feet?
• Keep a Safe Distance to Slow the Spread
• Key Times to Practice Social Distancing Video

• Commit To Fit Daily Workout Program: SOPA's workout program that includes daily workout videos, live workout sessions, and collaboration with special guests.
• School of Strength: An interactive online platform that encourages athletes to participate in a fun and engaging training program that they can do in the comfort of their own homes. Developed in partnership with WWE superstar Becky Lynch, this series of videos, fitness tracker, coach’s playbook and caregiver toolkit all contribute to helping athletes focus on nutrition, fitness and getting the most out of their workouts.

• Athlete Engagement Ideas: Ideas to help ensure that we stay connected via efficient communication, daily communication, fitness/wellness, healthy eating and more!

• COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment
• Preparing the Venue
• Travel to Activity and Onsite Screening
• Examples of Coaching Adjustments
• Management Team/COVID-19 Webinar July 21

• Return to Activities Timeline
• COVID-19 Responsibilities UPDATED 8/10
• COVID-19 Coordinator Checklist
• Site Registration and Advancement Form
• Fact Sheet on High Risk Participants
• BMI Calculation Graphic
• High Risk Email Template from Local Program Manager - UPDATED 8/3
• COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment
  • The COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form must be electronically signed and submitted via Google Forms: https://bit.ly/31zr5S7. If a participant does not have access to submit electronically, they must bring a completed paper form to the first activity and provide to the COVID-19 Coordinator upon arrival.

• Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
• COVID-19: What You Need To Know, Training In a Safe Environment
• Honor Code
• Meeting and Social Gathering Guidelines

• Virtual or In-Person Social Gatherings

• Fundraising Guidelines UPDATED 8/17

  • Fundraising Activity and Mitigation Form

• Guidance for Monitoring COVID-19 for Local Programs
• PPE Fact Sheet UPDATED 8/6

• Management Team/COVID-19 Webinar PPT Slides

• Social Media Templates - Sample messaging/a social media template that can be used when communicating to your local program constituents. This template is for programs that will be conducting at-home training.
  • General Social Media Template
  • Customizable Social Media Template (via Canva)

• COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment
• Preparing the Venue
• Travel to Activity and Onsite Screening
• Examples of Coaching Adjustments

• Coach Return to Activities Webinar

• At-Home Training and Competition Webinar

IN-PERSON TRAINING

• Return to Activity Coach Edition

Fall Sport-Specific Modifications (Phase B-C):

• COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment
  • The COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form must be electronically signed and submitted via Google Forms: https://bit.ly/31zr5S7. If a participant does not have access to submit electronically, they must bring a completed paper form to the first activity and provide to the COVID-19 Coordinator upon arrival.
• BMI Calculation Graphic
• Fact Sheet on High Risk Participants
• Return To Activities Timeline
• Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
• COVID-19: What You Need To Know, Training In a Safe Environment
• Coaches Honor Code UPDATED 8/19/20

• Coach Return to Activities Webinar PPT Slides

AT-HOME TRAINING

• At-Home Coaches Preparation Checklist

Guidelines for Phase A – At-Home Training and Competition:

• Engaging Athletes Virtually
• Engaging Athletes without Computers/Internet
• At-Home Training and Competition Webinar PPT Slides
• Video Conferencing Recommendations

• COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment
• Travel to Activity and Onsite Screening
• Athlete and Family Return to Activities Webinar

• Return to Activity Athlete Edition
• Fact Sheet on High Risk Participants
• BMI Calculation Graphic
• COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment
  
  • The COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form must be electronically signed and submitted via Google Forms: https://bit.ly/31zr5S7. If a participant does not have access to submit electronically, they must bring a completed paper form to the first activity and provide to the COVID-19 Coordinator upon arrival.
• Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
• COVID-19: What You Need To Know
• Athlete Honor Code
• Athlete Practice Checklist
• Athlete and Family Return to Activities Webinar PPT Slides
• What to Expect: In-Person Training
• Athlete Guide for Video Conferencing

Q:  Who do I contact with questions?

A: For local athletes and volunteers, contact the site COVID-19 Coordinator or Local Program Manager. For Local Program Managers, contact your Field Director or SOPA’s COVID-19 Coordinator. 

Q: Who must complete the COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form?

A: Every participant (athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, family members, caregivers or others in attendance of an activity) is required to complete the COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form prior to the start of an in-person activity. A COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form must be completed for every in-person activity. 

Q: How do people without a computer complete the COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form? 

A: The COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form must be electronically signed and submitted via Google Forms. If a participant does not have access to submit electronically, they must bring a completed paper form to the first activity and provide to the COVID-19 Coordinator upon arrival, or they may not participate. COVID-19 Coordinator must then submit paper forms electronically.

Q: What happens if a participant refuses to sign the COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment form?

A: This participant would not be able to participate. Prior to returning to any in-person SOPA activities in Phases B through E, all participants are required to complete and return a COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment Form which provides information and guidance on assessing risk and acknowledges that participation could increase risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.

Q: When answering the questions on the Screening and Tracking Report Form, what type of contact should be considered when it asks if you have had contact with someone who has been sick with COVID-19?

A: Only report if the participant has had direct contact with someone who has had COVID-19, not that someone has been in contact with a friend who had another friend that had COVID-19.

Q: What if the COVID-19 Coordinator does not have a computer to complete the Screening and Tracking Report Form? 

A: The COVID-19 Coordinator will have the option of a paper version for tracking onsite if they do not have digital access to the electronic version. If the COVID-19 Coordinator completes a paper version, they MUST transfer that data to the electronic form within 48 hours of the end of the activity.

Q: Does a caregiver count in the count if they are leaving after assisting with answering the screening questions with their athlete?

A: If participants need assistance, caregivers may come on-site of in-person activity. Caregivers are included within the person count. Caregivers are considered participants and must follow all applicable requirements. They must maintain distancing, hygiene, use PPE, including face masks and they too must go through the screening protocol if on-site of in-person activity. It is recommended that if able to, caregivers remain in their vehicles during the screening protocol. If an athlete needs assistance, the COVID-19 Coordinator calls the caregiver to assist with the questions as a part of the screening protocol.

Q: Can the COVID-19 Coordinator be the same person if a Local Program holds training for different sports on different days or does there need to be someone different for each training site?

A: It is recommended that there be a different COVID-19 Coordinator at each training site for each practice to limit the amount of exposure among groups. 

Q: Are there specific sports that are not allowed to return in certain phases?

A:  At this point in time all sports have a designated allowable start date; please refer to the chart for details. 

Q: When can bowling practice begin?

A: Bowling training can begin December 1st, if all requirements are met.

Q: Can coaching be done via Zoom or similar so that high risk participants get the most out of it?

A: Yes, we are currently working on a plan for Virtual at-home training and competition. More information will be released mid-August.

Q: Will there be a competition for the athletes training virtually?

A: There will be competition for those athletes who are training virtually, more information on this will be released mid-August.

Q: How can a coach submit scores for virtual games if an athlete falls in the high risk category and cannot attend a practice?

A: We are currently working on a Virtual at-home training plan. There will be more information released mid-August.

Q: Will there be DQ's if not following the honor code?

A: The Honest Effort Rule (HER) will not be in effect, but it is expected that coaches and athletes are abiding to the Virtual Competition Honor Code.  If it appears that event entry information does not the honor code, the Virtual Competition Review Committee (comprised of SOPA competition staff, local program leaders and the respective Sport Director) will review the information and have a follow up conversation with that coach and local program manager.

Q: Could you clarify “indirect contact” and “direct contact”?

A: In this context, “indirect contact” is considered an activity where a ball or equipment is touched or in contact with one individual and then directly touching another individual without disinfection. An example of indirect contact would be a basketball or football being passed around between participants. “Direct contact” is one individual touching another directly.

Individual drills for those sports with disinfection of equipment/ball in between uses is permitted. For example, an individual practices dribbling and then the ball being disinfected before being used by the next individual to practice their skills.

Q: Is there a directory to search Licensed Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) or Personal Care Homes (PCHs)?

A: Current clinical guidance and information from the CDC also indicates that people who live in a nursing home or licensed long-term care facility are at risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Residents of PA-licensed Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) or Personal Care Homes are not permitted to participate in Special Olympics in-person activities at this time.

• ICFs are described on the Department of Health website: www.health.pa.gov/topics/facilities/Pages/Intermediate-Care-Facilities.aspx
•  PCHs are described on the Department of Human Services website: www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Disabilities-Aging/Pages/Personal-Care-Homes.aspx
•  Both ICFs and PCHs are found on the searchable directory: www.humanservices.state.pa.us/HUMAN_SERVICE_PROVIDER_DIRECTORY/

You may search by facility name, but it must be the exact legal name of the facility (not a “doing business as” name.)

Q: Can high risk participants elect to participate, understanding the associated risks?

A: No, if you have any condition the CDC notes places you at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 you are not permitted to return to Special Olympics in-person activities at this time. 

Q: Can I participate in two or more in-person activities (sport/fitness, social and/or fundraising) in a given season?

A: Coaches, volunteers and athletes should minimize changes in personnel. Groups should stay together and not change. It is allowed but not encouraged.

Q: What if it is not possible to have a separate exit and entrance to the field?

A: If a site does not allow for separate entrance and exit spots, ensure that physical distancing is being maintained at the point of entry/exit. 

Q: If someone says they have a medical reason for not being able to wear a facemask, how should a Local Program handle this?

A: At this time, if a participant is unable to wear a mask for any reason, they will not be able to participate in Special Olympics activities. The use of the mask is not only to protect the participant, but to protect others in attendance and reduce possible transmission. Participants unable or unwilling to wear a mask should be invited to participate in virtual or at-home activities.

Q: Who is responsible for destroying all used PPE and hazard trash from the site?

A: The COVID-19 Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring everything is cleaned up prior to leaving the site.

Q: How do you handle a situation where first aid must be administered during an activity?

A: First aid should absolutely be provided by coaches, volunteers, or staff if required during an activity, even if physical distancing is not feasible during the aid. If it is a medical emergency, call the local emergency medical services. If it is a non-medical emergency, but basic first aid is needed, individuals providing care should follow proper hand hygiene and wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer and put on a surgical facemask and disposable gloves prior to administering first aid. If the athlete is breathing and conscious, they should also be wearing a face covering. Administer the first aid and then properly dispose of all supplies and gloves. After care is provided, ensure individuals follow proper hand hygiene and wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer. All activities should have a basic first aid kit on site which should also include a surgical facemask, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer/disinfectant. A face shield or protective eye wear may also be useful.