COVID-19 PROTOCOL UPDATES
As our state continues to take steps to reopen safely, Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) has developed a Return to Activities plan. The most important priority reflected throughout this plan is the health and safety of all of our participants: athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, family members, caregivers and staff.
Effective December 1, 2020, in-person activities may be conducted by SOPA Local Programs only in counties designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as having low or moderate levels of community transmission of COVID-19.
- Participants will not be able to cross county lines for in-person activities if their county of residence is designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as having a moderate level of community transmission of COVID-19.
In-person sport training, competition, meetings and social gatherings ARE NOT permitted in counties designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as having substantial levels of community transmission of COVID-19.
- No SOPA in-person activities are permitted to be conducted at a training or competition facility located in a county designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as having a substantial level of community transmission of COVID-19.
- If a county is designated as having low or moderate levels of community transmission of COVID-19 and then reclassified as substantial, SOPA programs in that county must return to Phase A, at-home virtual training.
Following is our updated Return to Activities plan and resources to help you better understand what to expect.
RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE:
RESOURCES FOR Managers, AssT. Managers, Sport & Competition, Training, FUNDRAISING, and COVID-19 Coordinators:
RESOURCES FOR COACHES:
RESOURCES FOR ATHLETES AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Q: Who must complete the COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PARTICIPANT (ATHLETE AND VOLUNTEER) RISK ASSESSMENT, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND WAIVER?
A: Every participant (athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, family members, caregivers or others in attendance of an activity) is required to complete the COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PARTICIPANT (ATHLETE AND VOLUNTEER) RISK ASSESSMENT, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND WAIVER prior to the start of an in-person activity.
Q: How do people without a computer complete the COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PARTICIPANT (ATHLETE AND VOLUNTEER) RISK ASSESSMENT, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND WAIVER?
A: The COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PARTICIPANT (ATHLETE AND VOLUNTEER) RISK ASSESSMENT, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND WAIVER must be electronically signed and submitted via Google Forms.
If a participant does not have access to submit electronically or ability to send a photo of the completed form to the site COVID-19 Coordinator, participant must schedule a call with the site COVID-19 Coordinator at least 24 hours prior to the first in-person activity to verbally provide their answers to the site COVID-19 Coordinator.
Site COVID-19 Coordinator will enter form electronically based on information provided by participant.
Participant must bring a completed paper form to the first in-person activity and provide to the site COVID-19 Coordinator upon arrival at first practice.
Q: What happens if a participant refuses to sign the COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PARTICIPANT (ATHLETE AND VOLUNTEER) RISK ASSESSMENT, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND WAIVER?
A: This participant would not be able to participate in any in-person activities. Prior to returning to any in-person SOPA activities in Phases B through E, all participants are required to complete and return a COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PARTICIPANT (ATHLETE AND VOLUNTEER) RISK ASSESSMENT, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND WAIVER.