September 1, 2021
Dear Club and League Representatives:
As a reminder, because soccer is predominately played on outdoor fields, MSYSA is not requiring athletes, team officials, referees, or spectators to wear facial coverings during MSYSA-affiliated activities. MSYSA recommends that our affiliated athletes (regardless of vaccination status) wear facial coverings in indoor settings (indoor gyms, indoor facilities, etc.) prior to, and immediately following, trainings and games, and when on the bench or sidelines. MSYSA also recommends our affiliated team officials (regardless of vaccination status) wear facial coverings in indoor settings when working with our affiliated athletes. Indoor gyms and/or indoor facilities, etc., may be subject now, or in the future, to local health department (LHD) orders/requirements, or have masking policies of their own, that could potentially apply to participants, team officials, referees and/or spectators.
MSYSA’s Game Day Processes have been updated for use during the Fall 2021 season. Please read and review. MSYSA will continue to evaluate our processes and communicate any additional updates or changes, if needed. Note: Teams traveling out-of-state for training, games, and/or tournaments should follow the respective out-of-state protocols related to exposure mitigation.
In the instance of a positive COVID-19 case, review our MSYSA RTP Chart and follow the guidance from the local health department. Coaches, players, parents, officials, etc., should be notified of the presence of a positive COVID-19 case so that they can monitor themselves for any symptoms. However, the individual(s) with COVID-19 should not be identified by name to non-family or non-health department officials. With respect to COVID related quarantines, participants with confirmed exposure to COVID-19 must be symptom free, and be removed from quarantine, to return to soccer activities. Quarantine periods for close contacts are determined by, and at the discretion of, local health departments.
In closing, to limit the spread of COVID-19, MSYSA encourages social distancing of 6 feet between people who do not live in your household when and where possible, encourage and maintain proper hygiene habits, wash hands often and cover coughs/sneezes.
Should you have any questions, please email the MSYSA State Office.
Sincerely,
Thomas Faro
Executive Director
August 6, 2021
In the past week, Michigan has experienced a significant increase in Delta (COVID) variant cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Delta variant is now the dominant strain in the United States. Currently, the delta variant accounts for nearly 93% of U.S. infections.
While there is currently no statewide requirement to wear a face mask in most settings, yesterday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued recommended guidance on ‘When To Wear a Face Mask’. Please read and review.
The surge in the Delta variant across the country prompted the CDC to issue updated recommendations for masking. In areas with substantial and high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially the Delta variant, and to protect others. The CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 get tested three to five days after exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings, or until they receive a negative test. Additionally, fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised, or at increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease, or not fully vaccinated.
MSYSA’s return-to-play (RTP) guidelines have been updated to include the latest recommendations. Should you have any questions, please email [email protected].