Updated: 02/08/2022

Introduction:

The purpose of this document is to advise our members of what to expect, how to proceed and how best to support our organization during this very extraordinary season.

NCMYH wants your family to be safe while attending our practices and games during this season. Our board has continuously consulted with the Gardner Board of Health and reviewed COVID-19 guidelines for youth sports provided by USA Hockey, Mass Hockey and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This document contains a summary of the precautions and best practices that we have assembled that are in the best interest of our players and the community.

Facilities (rinks) will have their own guidelines that NEED to be followed. We rent ice from these facilities, and therefore must follow their rules. Due to the large number of rinks that we utilize; it is currently not possible to have specific facility guidelines available. The most reliable resource for COVID policy of a particular facility continues to be their own website.

This document will be updated as needed when the State issues adjusted guidelines for youth sports.

• NCMYH will support any decision by any facility regarding management of their facility.
• NCMYH will support any decision by any facility that requires masks.

If you have any questions or concerns about our safety guidelines or see an unsafe condition at a practice or game, please contact a member of our COVID Committee – .

Policy Resource:

We have and will continue to consult with the local Gardner Board of Health (BOH) for everything COVID related. We are also guided by USA Hockey, Mass. Hockey, & State of Massachusetts DOH.

“Test to Play” Close Contact Protocol

In an effort to minimize losing scheduled practices or games due to COVID exposure, NCMYH with guidance from the BOH has adopted a “Test to Play '' protocol.

If your child is vaccinated and they are a “Close Contact,” they will continue to be allowed to participate in club activities (practices and games) if they are:

• Asymptomatic (no symptoms),
• Home Rapid-test on day 5 from last exposure and,
• MUST Wear a mask for 10 calendar days from the date of exposure.

If your child is unvaccinated, they are a “Close Contact,” they will continue to be allowed to participate provided they are:

• Asymptomatic (no symptoms),
• self-test through day 5 from exposure,
• MUST wear a mask for 10 calendar days from the date of exposure.

BinaxNow (or equivalent) “At-Home” Rapid tests are acceptable for Self-Testing.

NCMYH does not need to be notified of a close contact if your player is asymptomatic and has a negative covid test on or thru day 5 depending on vaccination status.

The CDC recently updated the Recommended Quarantine/Isolation Timeline for COVID Positive individuals. This is what it means for NCMYH:

POSITIVE COVID TEST PROTOCOL

Anyone testing positive, regardless of vaccination status must:

• Notify your child's Head Coach and email
• Isolate for 5 days from onset of symptoms or test date (if asymptomatic).
• Your child may return to on-ice club activities if fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours after the 5 day quarantine period.
• MUST continue to wear a mask for 5 additional calendar days after the quarantine period ends.

What to do if your player has covid symptoms

• Get tested and remain at home.
• May return to on-ice activities with a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test. If a PCR or Antigen test is positive, individuals must follow the Positive Covid Test Protocol listed above.

COVID-19 Symptoms List

Vaccinated individuals should monitor symptoms in bold

Unvaccinated individuals should monitor all symptoms

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Sore throat (when in combination with other symptoms)
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (when in combination with other symptoms)
• Headache (when in combination with other symptoms)
• Fatigue (when in combination with other symptoms)
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) ((when in combination with other symptoms))

​Who to contact…

• Head Coach
• COVID Committee –
• Primary Healthcare Provider
• Local Board of Health (if necessary)

Committee Chairman: Rich Gauthier