The Arizona soccer community, players, coaches, families, staff, and referees have managed the COVID journey in a manner that has set the bar for the rest of the country to model. That said, with the self-reporting and tracking that ASA and the clubs have implemented over the past year has allowed us to learn how to responsibly, and in alignment with CDC and public health guidance establish and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.

Based on the commitment by the clubs and the effectiveness of these strategies effective immediately, ASA will no longer require that teams to report positive COVID cases to ASA and we will no longer require entire teams to be red-lined for 10 days, from the last contact date.

With this change if a team/club has a reported positive they should:

• Immediately notify the rest of the team that there is a positive COVID case reported – Do not give names
• If the positive case was reported after playing a game, the coach and/or team manager should communicate to their opponent, via email that there was a reported positive COVID case – Do not give names
• Require that player to immediately suspend all activities and quarantine until 10 days have passed since symptom onset/positive test and at least 24 hours have passed without a fever without medicine and other symptoms have improved
• Ensure all others on the team monitor for any symptoms

Also, if anyone is determined to be considered to have been a Close Contact Exposure they should follow the CDC guidelines found on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your- health/quarantine-isolation.html

In keeping with COVID and community safe recommendations, it is important that clubs and teams continue to remind their players, coaches, and families that:

• If you are sick or feel sick, STAY HOME
• At risk individuals, youth, or adult STAY HOME
• There should be no sharing of water or towels. Every player should bring their own water bottles.
• Sharing of equipment should be avoided. This includes, but not limited to:
• GK Gloves; GK’s should on use water on their gloves, never saliva.
• Shoes, Socks, or Shin Guards
• Jersey/Uniform
• Practice Vest/Pinnies; At minimum should be washed after each use.
• No centralized hydration or refreshment stations
• Spectators should maintain appropriate social distancing and it is recommended to wear masks when social distancing isn’t maintained.
• Recommend having sanitizing options available. This may include:
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfectant wipes to be used to wipe down all equipment
• Respect for each individual’s choices must be the top priority. If a participant wishes to wear a face mask this should be allowed, and accommodations made if needed

This journey has been one of many twists and turns but ASA is confident that the diligence and responsibility that has been displayed by the overall soccer community will continue to set the bar for others to follow