These are the three most commonly asked questions:

Question: Can a player/coach attend practice/games if they were identified as a close contact in school or otherwise?
Answer: They should follow the quarantine rules set forth by the school/work and Board of Health.

Question: If someone on the team tests positive for COVID-19, are the rest of the players/coaches considered to be close contacts?
Answer: No, they are not. Since all our practices and games are outdoors for ABYS, at this time no one is considered a close contact.

Question: If a player/coach tests positive for COVID-19, how many days should a player be quarantined?
Answer: Unless stated otherwise by a health professional here are the guidelines to follow:

• Fully Vaccinated Individuals can come back to play/practice after 5 days of the initial positive test, ONLY if they test negative after 5 days. If they continue testing positive, please refrain from coming to practice/games until the full 10 days of quarantine
• Unvaccinated individuals: Can only come back to practice/games after the 10 days of quarantine, regardless of test results.
• ***If at any time the individual continues to have symptoms they should NOT be coming to practices or games until they are symptoms free for at least 24 hours***

Overview:

Acton Boxborough Youth Soccer is planning a fall program using the guidelines set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Youth Soccer (MYSA), Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS) and the Towns of Acton and Boxborough.  THE GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE AND MYSA HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.  WE WILL KEEP THIS PAGE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION AS WE RECEIVE IT.

Mass Youth Soccer requires all adults involved in soccer activities to read and understand the Fall 2021 Recommended Procedures. 

The following mandatory rules and recommendations are a summary of the detailed guidelines provided by MYSA regarding playing soccer this fall. Please review and familiarize with these guidelines.

Mandatory Rules:

1. Notify ABYS of positive COVID tests or close contacts.
   • If a coach or player is diagnosed with COVID-19 or notified that they are a close contact, please notify ABYS Risk Officer Yana Gaber
2. Team Covid Coordinators are NO LONGER required. However, coaches must keep written attendance for practices and games and have it be available upon request for an immediate response.

Masks: UPDATED SEPTEMBER 1st

• Currently, players are not required to wear face coverings for all outdoor soccer activities. Face coverings may be worn at the discretion of the adult (18 and 19 years old) player or the minor (17 years old and younger) player’s parent/guardian.
• Referees are not required to wear face coverings for all outdoor soccer activities. Face coverings may be worn at the discretion of the adult (18 years and older) referee or the minor (17 years old and younger) referee’s parent/guardian.
• All coaches and other administrators interacting with players are recommended to wear face coverings for all soccer activities.

Other Guidelines:

1. Ensure player health.
   • Take temperature daily.
     
   • Do not send child to soccer activities if they have any symptoms.
     
   • Notify your coach if child becomes sick.
     
2. Players should practice proper hygiene.
   • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
     
   • Have your own hand sanitizer.
     
   • Sanitize hands and equipment before and after activities.
     
   • No shared equipment.
     
   • No snacks should be shared by team.
     
3. No group celebrations, touching, hand-shakes, fist-bumps etc.
   
4. Rules and guidelines may change throughout the season.

All participants (players, coaches, spectators, staff) should ensure that they complete a health assessment prior to participating in any soccer activities. This health assessment should consist of the following:

1. Ensure the participants health. Take one’s temperature daily. The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). Some studies have shown that the “normal” body temperature can have a wider range, from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C). A temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) most often means you have a fever caused by an infection or illness.
2. If there are any symptoms, even mild ones, do not attend practice or a game. Public health urges you to stay home and isolate until:
• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine), AND
• Other symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved, AND
• At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

If you are unvaccinated and anyone in your household or that you have had close contact with (within six feet for approximately 15 minutes over a 24 hour period) displays symptoms, you should self-quarantine based on current CDC guidelines, The Commonwealth of MA, and direction from your local Board of Health.
Notify your soccer organization immediately if your child has become sick.