NTB COVID-19 Protocols

Natick Travel Basketball COVID-19 Protocols

The top priority of the Natick Travel basketball program is always the health of each of our participants. To that end, we will always be in 100% compliance with State regulations. Below are our COVID-19 protocols.

• The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: Workplace Safety and Reopening Standards for Businesses and Other Entities Providing Youth and Adult Amateur Sports Activities were updated on 12/9/2020. However, on 12/9/2020 the EOEEA guidance was updated for Phase III, step 2 and does allow for Level 1, 2, and 3 play for basketball. The key changes that came out on included the following:
  • “Sports and activities included in the Higher Risk category that require intermittent close proximity or moderate contact (basketball, lacrosse, ice- hockey, ultimate frisbee) or sports that require high contact but are only performed outdoors (football and rugby) can participate in Level 1, 2 and 3 type of play.”
  • “Mandatory Facial Coverings for All Sports: Facility Operators and Activity Organizers must require facial coverings to be worn by all participants during active play….”
  • “Indoor Competition Capacity Limits: No more than 25 players on any surface/playing area for team/group sports. If an indoor facility has a chaperone or spectator viewing area which allows for at least six feet social distancing between spectators and the presence of spectators plus players, coaches, referees, and facility/activity workers does not cause the facility to exceed more than 40% of the maximum occupancy for the indoor facility, then spectators for players under 21 years old are allowed to attend. Spectators are limited to 2 adults (parents/guardians or chaperones) and siblings of a participating player. o Spectators must wear facial coverings and maintain six feet of social distance at all times.”
  • “Out-of-state travel for recreational play, competitive training sessions, practices, competitions or any other type of sporting event (“Sport Event”) is strongly discouraged as traveling may increase the chances of exposing players, coaches, and others to COVID-19 or unknowingly spreading it to others, particularly if a team from an area with high levels of COVID-19 competes with a team from an area with low levels of the virus.”

Natick Travel Basketball will be compliant with all MA EOEEA guidance and will immediately pause play should EOEEA guidance require that (or any other EOEEA changes).

• The Natick Travel Basketball program will operate under Level 1, 2, and 3 activities consistent with the most recent 12/9/20 EOEEA guidance. Natick Travel Basketball will constantly monitor the ME EOEEA guidance for updates (Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) COVID-19 Guidance Documents | Mass.gov )
• If a player planning to attend practice is currently experiencing a fever (100.4+) or any flu-like symptoms he or she cannot participate.
• Any player who has missed school 14 days prior to an event for experiencing flu-like symptoms is not eligible to practice.
• If anyone in a players household is COVID-19 positive or has been asked to quarantine because they are a close contact by, he or she must be symptom free for 14 days prior to a practice in order to participate.
• If a player has experienced any flu-like symptoms recently, he or she must be symptom free for 14 days prior to a practice in order to participate.
• Pre/post practice handshakes or high fives are suspended at all practices.
• All coaches must wear face masks at practices.
• All players must wear face masks at practices.
• Traffic/Drop off plan
  • Teams will enter facilities wearing masks and with their coach, and players will place backpacks and belongings 6 feet apart.
  • When arriving to practice individuals must stay in their cars until 5 minutes before the scheduled practice time. 5 minutes before practice they may enter the facility. The coach will guide the athletes to the court after Longfellow has completed temperature checks and compared the individual names against the roster.
  • Practices should end 10 minutes early to allow the coaches to clear the court after practice.
  • When practice is over the coach will lead team back out to the exit which is a separate path than the entrance.
  • Any form of congregation at the beginning or end of the practice is prohibited.
• Parents are not permitted to attend practices.
• Individuals will bring their own balls to practice for individual skills and drills work.
• The program will have hand sanitizer available during practices and players and coaches are urged to use it frequently.
• Players and coaches are reminded to use good hand hygiene.
• Players should refrain from touching their faces at all times.
• Players and coaches should refrain from any sharing of drinks or water bottles.
• Each individual should dispose of their own water bottles.
• Players are reminded that they must socially distance when not actually engaged in practice.
• No more than 25 players per court when practicing.
• Longfellow Health Club Procedures
  • Temperatures will be taken of each coach and kid each practice by Longfellow staff at their front desk when each coach or kid enters club.
  • Each kid sanitizes their hands each time entering Longfellow, using sanitizer provided by Longfellow.
  • Each team gives roster to Longfellow, which we would have at front desk so each kid would get checked off as they enter.
  • All coaches and players wear masks 100% of the time no exceptions.
  • No parents allowed at practices (no exceptions).