Kentucky Aquatics COVID-19 Management Plan

Adopted from Kentucky Swimming and USA Swimming Re-Opening Plans

 

KENTUCKY SWIMMING  Fitness, Health & Wellness Re-Entry Protocol

Contact:  Maureen McDonald

Contact Email: [email protected]

Contact Address: PO Box 630 – Versailles, KY 40383

Contact Phone Number: (859) 539-9091

 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention
There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.
 

A MESSAGE FROM USA SWIMMING

We believe swimming, like walking, hiking, running, and cycling, is a critical healthy activity within our communities. Swimming does not require direct contact between teammates or coaches and social distancing can be maintained throughout practice. As with all exercise and activity at this time, swimming must comply with standards for social distancing and safety within aquatic facilities. We know, with collaboration between USA Swimming coaches, public health officials, and facility operators we can create safe plans for using aquatic facilities to promote physical and mental health opportunities compliant with public health directives. The CDC has indicated that there is no evidence the disease spreads through treated water. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.

A MESSAGE FROM KENTUCKY SWIMMING

Kentucky Swimming recognizes that swimmers can continue to train and compete safely in accordance with appropriate safety protocols.  While the safety of our swimmers will always be of paramount importance, we also recognize the importance of resuming swimming to promote health and fitness, as well as to ensure that swimmers seeking to compete at the college and national levels have an opportunity to pursue their goals.  Based on guidance from health officials, the CDC, and USA Swimming, we are providing this re-entry protocol to our member teams.  We recognize that each team may need to modify this protocol slightly based on the facility in which it trains, but we believe this protocol should be followed as closely as possible to ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place for our swimmers.

 

 

Kentucky Aquatics COVID-19 Management Plan

 

The team will adhere to the following COVID procedures during use of Lancaster Aquatic Center (LAC):

PRIOR TO TRAINING AT LAC

  1. All swim families and coaches will be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver releasing the University of Kentucky from all liability due to possible COVID-19 exposure.
  2. No swimmer will be allowed to attend practice if he/she feels sick, including chills, fever, dizziness, nausea, sore throat, coughing, difficulty breathing, or any other COVID-19 symptom identified by the CDC.
  3. Swimmers and coaches must wash their hands with a disinfectant soap and water (for 20 seconds or longer) or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available, prior to coming to practice at LAC.

ENTRY and EXIT PROCEDURES

  1. Swimmers will not be permitted to access the facility more than 5 minutes prior to the start of practice.
  2. Swimmers and coaches will wear masks while entering the facility, stretching, and engaging in dry land exercises inside the facility.  Masks may be taken off when preparing to enter the water.
  3. The team will not use the showers.  Swimmers should arrive with their swimsuits on. Restrooms will be used only if necessary. Locker rooms may be utilized to change quickly at the conclusion of practice.
  4. Swimmers will abide by the current CDC and state physical distancing guidelines unless acute injury, risk mitigation or safety measures require otherwise.
  5. Swimmers will enter and exit the pool area through the main pool deck entrance or as designated by UK.
  6. An assigned coach or staff member shall survey athletes and coaches entering the facility. If they are symptomatic in any way, the athlete or coach will not be permitted to enter the facility.  Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing, or other symptoms identified by the CDC.
  7. Parents will not be permitted on the LAC deck during practice and may not congregate outside.  Parents may observe practice from the LAC balcony stands if they follow current UK policies including wearing of face coverings and social distancing.
  8. Swimmers will keep their bags spaced and in area designated by UK or KYA staff. 
  9. No swimmers may share equipment, and all swimmers must take their equipment with them at the conclusion of practice.  No equipment may be left in the facility. Swimmers must bring full water bottles as water fountains are not available; water bottles may be refilled at the bottle refill stations.
  10. Swimmers will leave the facility immediately at the conclusion of practice.  Swimmers will not be permitted to congregate inside or outside the facility following practice.
  11. Common touch points will be disinfected before the next group of swimmers enters the facility.
  12. As the CDC and state guidelines are evolving, the team agrees to stay current on and follow the latest guidelines, as well as any rules of the University of Kentucky and LAC staff.

DURING PRACTICE

  1. Swimmers and coaches must follow the current state and CDC guidelines for spacing at aquatic centers. On-deck instruction and discussions are prohibited if appropriate distancing may not be maintained in doing so.
  2. All parties on deck must not make physical contact with others, such as shaking hands or giving a high five.
  3. Athletes may not share drinks, towels, or other equipment.
  4. Athletes and coaches must maintain social distancing when taking a break.
  5. Athletes/coaches who begin to cough/sneeze for any reason, must move away from others until coughing/sneezing dissipates.

COVID-19 TESTING, CLOSE CONTACT, and FAMILY MEMBER PROTOCOLS

1.If an athlete, coach, or household family member is tested for COVID-19

a.DO NOT ATTEND PRACTICE UNTIL TEST RESULT IS KNOWN

i.If test result is positive, follow instructions per item 2 below.

ii.If test result is negative, no further action is required.

2.If an athlete or staff member tests positive for COVID-19

  1. The athlete or staff member will need to seek medical attention immediately.
  2. The athlete or staff member MUST NOT ATTEND PRACTICE
  3. The athlete or staff member must contact the Head Coach immediately to inform of the test result.
  4. The athlete or staff member will need to quarantine per CDC guidelines.
  5. KYA will work with the Local Health Department to conduct contact tracing. All contact tracing determinations are directed by the Local Health Department in partnership with KYA. 
  6. Athletes or staff members that the Local Health Department considers at risk of exposure will be contacted and required to quarantine per CDC guidelines. 
  7. KYA may take a more proactive stance and aggressive action than required when conducting contact tracing within our team.
  8. The athlete or staff member may return safely to practice after they have completed the recommended quarantine period and have BEEN APPROVED BY KYA COACHING STAFF TO RETURN TO PRACTICE.
  1. For athletes or staff members identified as being in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual:
  1. They will be expected to follow Local Health Department direction or in the case of delayed response, the “When to Quarantine” guidance per CDC. NOTE: Close contact is currently defined by the CDC as, "Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated."
  2. If contact tracers determine an athlete has been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, the following is required prior to returning to practice:

 

  1. An athlete or staff member who has been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive case should quarantine immediately. DO NOT ATTEND PRACTICE.
  2. The athlete or staff member should contact the health department in their home county for guidance. Fayette County residents should call (859) 899-2222.
  3. The athlete or staff member should notify KYA coaching staff within 24 hrs.
  4. The athlete or staff member may return safely to practice after they have completed the recommended quarantine period, have not developed symptoms, have not received a positive test during their quarantine period and BEEN APPROVED BY THE HEAD COACH TO RETURN TO PRACTICE.
  5. EXCEPTION: Per April 29, 2021 CDC guidance, fully vaccinated athletes and staff may avoid quarantine for a close contact ONLY if they do not experience any symptoms of COVID-19 after contact AND he or she shows proof of full vaccination to the Head Coach.
  1. If an athlete or staff member resides with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 or is showing COVID-19 symptoms:
    1. The individual who tests positive for COVID-19 OR any household family member MUST NOT ATTEND PRACTICE.
    2. The individual must contact the health department in their home county immediately to obtain instructions regarding quarantine/isolation. Fayette County residents should call (859) 899-2222.
    3. The individual must notify the Head Coach within 24 hours. 
    4. The individual who tested positive and any household family member are prohibited from returning to practice until EACH has been properly released from isolation/quarantine and APPROVED BY THE HEAD COACH TO RETURN TO PRACTICE.
    5. KYA coaching staff does not have the authority to release COVID-19 positive individuals or members of their household to return to school or work. This is the responsibility of the experts at the local and state departments of public health.

CDC references:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/contact-tracing.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html

Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People | CDC