(Updated 11/18/20)

Medford Strikers Parents,

With only a few weeks remaining in the fall season, we wanted to send a few important reminders about our COVID policies given the dramatic increase in cases within our communities.  All parents, players, and their guests are expected to respect and follow the procedures we put in place as the season was starting.  Players should continue to complete the “My Health Check” in TeamSnap before each practice or game.  Complete COVID policies can be found at… https://www.medfordstrikers.com/news/covid.  We also ask everyone to please respect procedures when traveling to an opposing club and/or tournament.  

If any player or family member has been in contact with anyone who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID please contact your team manager for appropriate next steps as it relates to practice and games. 

And as always, anyone not feeling well (player, parent, guest) should stay home.

We would also kindly request that parents refrain from congregating during any remaining outdoor practice, especially on the hill where players keep their equipment.

Thanks in advance for your continued cooperation!

Medford Strikers Board of Directors

(Updated 11/18/20)

Medford Strikers Parents,

As previously stated, the NJ Governor issued an Incoming Travel Advisory effective 6/25/20 requiring those entering NJ from certain states to self-quarantine for 14-days. As of 10/28/20, those states now include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This list is expected to continue to be updated over time. More information can be found at https://covid19.nj.gov/. 

Impact to any Medford Strikers Player traveling to or who recently returned from one of the impacted states:

• Any Medford Strikers player traveling to one of those states will not be allowed to practice or play any scheduled games until after the quarantine period is over.
• Please notify admin@medfordstrikers.com and your team manager upon return from one of these states - they will record the date you are cleared to return

Some have asked about testing. Per the state of NJ, testing does not negate the need to self quarantine.  

See below taken from https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/general-public/are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey-should-i-self-quarantine-if-i-have-recently-traveled

"Testing is available to everyone in New Jersey and is strongly encouraged for those who travelled to areas heavily impacted by COVID-19. To find a testing site near you, visit covid19.nj.gov/testing

If you are from an impacted state and get a diagnostic/virus test, you should still self-quarantine for 14 days. If you test negative, you are still advised to self-quarantine for 14 days because you remain in the incubation period. A diagnostic test is a point-in-time indicator from the date of when you were last exposed - in this case, being in a state with significant community spread of COVID-19.”

Any questions or concerns can be directed to vicepresident@medfordstikers.com and admin@medfordstrikers.com. 

Best Regards,
Medford Strikers Board of Directors

New Check-In Procedure

As we move into the fall season, we are now ready to modify our process. As many of you noticed, within the last month TeamSnap launched its own COVID “Health Check”. This version is a series of 5 questions that you will complete within the Event Details section of the practice/game. The Health Check is available to complete the day of the event and must be completed 1.5 hours before the scheduled arrival time. We believe this will be a much more efficient process for our players/families and our team managers.

You should begin using the TeamSnap health check immediately, as the online version through Medfordstrikers.com will be deactivated over the weekend. Here’s how to access the Health Check...

** Note - if you are not seeing the Health Check you will need to update the app to make sure you are running the latest version.

Health Check PDF Download for Review

Details for NJYS Phase 5 (Full Return to Play)

Phase 5 lifts restrictions during training and allows for Intra-Club full contact training and games. Social distancing, masks, and other safety measures will remain in place for athletes and spectators. 

Coaches/Club responsibilities during Phase 5:

• Follow and respect all return to play protocols
• Ask players upon entry to the facility how they are physically feeling and administer non contact temperature check
• Provide adequate physical distancing during practice and exercises
• Ensure all players are using their own equipment (no sharing)
• Wear a face mask during coaching
• Handle all club equipment (place, pick up, touch cones, discs, etc.)
• Clean and sanitize equipment before and after each practice
• Will not come within 6 feet of any player
  • Exception - if injury occurs and player requires first aid

Parent responsibilities during Phase 5:

• Follow and respect all return to play protocols as noted
• Check the player's temperature before heading to the facility or game - ensure below 99.5 degrees F 
• Notify the club immediately if your child becomes ill
• Ensure your child has hand sanitizer and plenty of water
• Ensure washing (e.g. hands) takes place before and after every training
• Ensure clothes and equipment (clothes, cleats, ball, shin guards etc.) are washed/sanitized before and after every training
• Remain at fields during practice and stay in car and/or maintain social distancing guidelines per federal, state, and local regulations 
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

Player responsibilities during Phase 5:

• Follow and respect all return to play protocols as noted
• Bring and use hand sanitizer
• Place bags and equipment in designated team area and at least 6 feet apart from other players
• Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, food, or bags
• Wear mask before and after practices - when walking to/from car
• Wash hands thoroughly and immediately after events
• Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after events

A few general guidelines:

• Always maintain Social Distancing in and around the complex
• If you do not feel well...STAY AWAY.
• Coaches have been instructed not to come within 6 feet of any player or their possessions (unless administering first aid)

References:

• https://www.njyouthsoccer.com/Default.aspx?tabid=920455
• http://njyouthsoccer.bonzidev.com/doclib/NJYS%20Return%20to%20Play%20Notice%20051820.pdf

FAQ

• Will players' temperatures be checked before training?
  Parents must check their child’s temperatures before coming to practice. The club will also conduct a non-evasive check when players arrive at the field. Coaches temperatures will also be checked upon arrival. 

• Where will players leave their bags during practice? 
  Each player will be given their own designated area. Each area will meet the social distancing rules put forward by the state. 

• What happens if a player shows up to practice with flu like symptoms?
  They will be sent home and parents will be asked to monitor the player and will be contacted by a club official about returning. No club activities will be permitted for 10 days.
  

• What happens if a player in the club (or a family member in the same household) tests positive for COVID-19?

  Player CANNOT attend club events until:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since resolution of fever (defined as 99.5 degrees F) without the use of fever-reducing medications and respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and at least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
    
    Or
     
  • Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND…Negative results of an FDA authorized molecular assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (two negative specimens).
     
• What happens if a player says they are not feeling well when entering the practice facility?Player will be sent home and parents will be contacted by a club official about returning. No club activities will be permitted for 10 days.
   
• What happens if a player/coach/family member has been exposed or has COVID 19 symptoms?
  Any asymptomatic player or staff member who has been exposed to an individual with a suspected or diagnosed case of COVID-19 would be restricted from participation for at least 14 days and monitored for any symptoms consistent with infection.
   
• Do players need to wear masks during training?
  No, players only need to have masks on when entering and leaving the facility, not during actual training. 
   
• Will Porta Potties be available for use at the facility?
  While Porta Potties will be available for emergencies, players are encouraged to go before heading to the facility. Porta Potties will be sprayed with disinfectant prior to each practice, after each use and locked when practice is not in session. Hand sanitizer will be available.
   
• What happens if a player gets injured during practice?
  In the event of an injury, staff may assess and facilitate management of the injured individual in accordance with proper first aid management. Family members may participate in injury management as necessary but other players should maintain proper social distance.
   
• Will parents have to stay at practice during phase 3?
  In order to maintain the health and safety of our players, the coaches, and their families, parents are directed to remain at the facility (in their vehicles) during all training sessions. If an injury occurs, we would need the assistance of the parent.