May 18, 2021
Dear Club and League Representatives:
MSYSA’s Return-to-Play (RTP) Guidelines and Game Day Processes have been updated to better align with the latest Gatherings and Face Mask Order, and Interim Guidance for Athletics, issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on May 14, 2021. Please read and review.
While facial coverings are not required outdoors, MDHHS strongly recommends that individuals (i.e., athletes, coaches, team officials, spectators, parents/guardians, etc.) who are not fully vaccinated remain masked during outdoor organized sports activities.
While indoors, fully vaccinated individuals (i.e., athletes, coaches, team officials, spectators, parents/guardians, etc.) are no longer required to wear facial coverings. Those who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear facial coverings while indoors. As relayed previously, the updated MDHHS Gatherings and Face Mask Order expires May 31, 2021.
As a reminder, weekly testing (SARS-CoV-2) of all unvaccinated athletes (ages 13-19) is still required for participation in organized sports, including youth (club) soccer. Unvaccinated participants (ages 13-19) can only participate in organized sports with proof of a negative diagnostic test (antigen or RT-PCR) on at least a weekly basis. Fully vaccinated persons are not subject to these weekly testing requirements, unless they have COVID-19-like symptoms. ‘Fully vaccinated persons’ means persons for whom at least two weeks has passed after receiving the final dose of an FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, participants who have recovered from confirmed COVID-19 in the past three months (and who remain symptom-free) are also not subject to the weekly testing requirements, if they can provide the appropriate ‘proof’ or doctor’s letter as described in the MDHHS Interim Guidance for Athletics.
Also, for participants with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or possible exposure to COVID-19, the local health department (LHD) is likely to initiate contact tracing for individuals who may have been in close contact with a positive case. Quarantine periods for close contacts are determined by, and at the discretion of, the local health department (LHD).
In closing, due to the MSYSA State Cup and Junior State Cup this weekend, MSYSA does not have a conference call (Zoom) scheduled for this Friday, May 21, 2021. Thus, please continue to monitor our website and social media platforms for any potential updates.
Sincerely,
Thomas Faro
Executive Director
cc.: MSYSA Board of Directors
