AHSAA, AISA put guidelines in place for June 1 workouts
STAFF REPORT
Both high school athletic associations have given the go ahead to begin summer workouts to respective members.
On Wedesday, the Alabama High School Athletic Association provided an update to the procedures for athletic programs to begin workouts next week.
The AHSAA held a news conference earlier Wednesday to update the situation.
“We must follow all guidelines,” stated AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese. “We can stay open and I’m counting on you (coaches, players, administrators) to follow the Alabama Department of Public Health guidelines and if we do this, hopefully we will be able to have a normal fall season.”
Guidelines for Alabama Independent School Association member schools were sent out Tuesday in advance of athletic activities that start on Monday.
AISA officials gathered information from the Center for Disease Control and the state Department of Public Health as well as the NCAA and other sources in developing “a guide for best practices and decision making,” the organization noted in its release.
“It should be understood that all schools within our network have different circumstances to consider and may not reintroduce activities at the same rate as others,” the statement observed. “School leaders should consider all external factors when developing policies and guidelines and we strongly encourage schools to start slow and phase in a process of participation to ensure that it can be properly managed.”
All workouts must include physical distancing procedures where coaches and players must adhere to guidelines regarding maintaining a large space to accommodate 12 students and one coach and should maintain a 6-foot distance when possible. Coaches and players are encouraged to wear face coverings if the distances cannot be met.
Guidelines for screening players and coaches have been laid out including a check list provided by the AHSAA.
“It is the responsibilty of the of the administration to make sure these guidelines are followed,” stated Alvin Briggs AHSAA associate athletic director. “We encourage the use of masks by the athletes. We want to get you to July 27 (the first official practice date).”
School employers and staff should screen everyone with a set of questions and take temperatures daily to check for COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone with a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees should be sent home immediately.
“The idea is to keep everyone acclimated to what we are trying to do. It’s an attention to details,” stated Hoover head football coach Josh Niblett. “It’s about keeping them healthy as well as working on conditioning.”
Implement workplace cleaning and disinfection practices, according to CDC guidelines, with regular sanitization of often-touched surfaces at least every two hours. The AISA guidelines also suggest improved ventilation, increasing the percentage of outdoor air and preventing air from recirculating as much as possible.
Conduct regular disinfecting of high-touch surfaces, equipment and common areas of the facility, using disinfectant cleaning supplies at least every two hours according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Use only one piece of equipment at a time so that machines are cleaned properly after each use. Staff should ensure that equipment is properly cleaned between uses. Regularly and frequently clean and sanitize, as often as practicable, all equipment and high touch surfaces such as balls, bats, equipment, chairs and restrooms.
Temporarily close water fountains, common areas and locker rooms where people may congregate and require participants to provide their own water in approved containers. Also, participants should provide their own snacks and towels and should not share with others, nor should they travel to or from campus in the same vehicle with any individual whom they do not reside with.
The AISA guidelines note that participation in summer workouts is voluntary and no student-athlete should be threatened with a loss of playing time or other sanctions should they refuse to participate.