FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 8th, 2021
To: Our LA Surf Families
From: CEO / Executive Director, Barry Ritson
Survey Reminder, Vaccination Verification and Weekly Testing Protocols
Hello LA Surf Families,
First of all, Thank You.
Although the new Health order from the LA County Public Health Department has presented some initial challenges we are happy to report we have received from the vast majority of our members the necessary feedback in the survey to give us an indication of where our families are in regards to vaccination status’ and ability to be tested weekly.
However, we are not at 100% compliance which means players may be prevented from playing this upcoming weekend. We urge all families to complete the following survey for their child as soon as possible:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LASVAXStatus
DEADLINE: End of Day Friday 10th September.
In addition, as a refresher, please carefully review the requirements for your child.
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/docs/protocols/Reopening_YouthSports.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
We have received some follow up questions that we are happy to give answers to:
- Verification of Vaccination Status.
- All vaccinated players must show to their coach a verification of vaccination. This can be the vaccination record card, it can be an electronic copy or even a picture of the card on a cell phone. As long as YOUR COACH has seen the copy once, we have fulfilled the requirement. Coaches DO NOT need to maintain records or copies of the card/image.
- Timing of tests
- The order clearly states it must be a “weekly” test for those players aged 12 and above that HAVE NOTbeen fully vaccinated. This gives us and you some flexibility. Therefore, you may present your test result to YOUR COACH at either training session during the week or at your game at the weekend. This can be in paper format, electronically or a picture on your cell phone. Again, your coach only needs to view the confirmation of a NEGATIVE test result and does NOT have to maintain a copy or record of your test.
- Keeping Track
- Coaches will maintain a checklist of all vaccinated players as well as a weekly checklist of players they need to see test results from. They will make themselves available at the BEGINNING and AFTEReach training session and BEFORE each game, to view the confirmation. Should a coach not have a vaccination verification or confirmation of a negative test unfortunately the player will be told to stay with their parents and not participate in the game.
I must stress that this order is from the LA County Public Health Department and not created nor driven by LA Surf but… we have a duty to follow it to the very best of our ability. It is designed to prevent the spread of the virus and keep our children and families safe.
We understand the frustration and logistical challenges this brings to families, we would much rather be focusing on the kids playing and enjoying our sport versus maneuvering around impromptu orders but with the virus still prevalent in our communities and with our children returning to in-person schooling, it’s a small sacrifice to keep our children safe and having fun on the field.
A further reminder, Stay Safe and BE KIND!
Yours Sincerely,
Barry Ritson
CEO
— PRIOR COMMUNICATION —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 31, 2021
To: Our LA Surf Families
From: CEO / Executive Director, Barry Ritson
Hello LA Surf Families,
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and well. I am thrilled to see that many of our players are attending school, being able to socially interact with friends and family and attend training and games, working hard to improve as a player on the field. It’s been great to see the children have this outlet over the past few months and it has reinvigorated the staff in their endeavor to create the best and safest environment possible at our club.
With open competition comes added responsibility. We are all responsible for helping keep each other safe, to take appropriate measures to ensure we are doing all we can to slow the spread of the Delta Variant and follow the guidance from the CDC and Public Health departments.
We have been watching closely this week to the LA County Public Health Department releases pertaining to youth sports, knowing they could change before the September 1 start date.
The latest version of the order can be found here: PLEASE READ FULLY
While we can continue to take the field, we MUST continue to be diligent and follow the protocols. We are buoyed by the vaccination numbers increasing as one critical way of combatting this virus. We encourage all families to strongly consider vaccinating all members aged 12 and above as their primary strategy. For us at the club it will also decrease disruption in team activities, because fully vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine if they are close contacts to a case of COVID-19, as long as they remain asymptomatic and continue to test negative.
So how does the new order affect us?
STEP ONE: We need to be aware the vaccination status of each participant at the club.
PLEASE complete this survey ASAP:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LASVAXStatus
*For parents that do not want to disclose the vaccination status of their child, we will consider them unvaccinated to adhere to the mandate.
STEP TWO – Weekly Testing Requirements
For players under 12 years of age.
No weekly testing requirement.
- Must follow protocol if exposed to the virus as a close contact.
- You MUST report all exposures to the club and follow all isolation and quarantine protocols.
- If for ANY COVID related reason players are told to stay at home from school then they should NOT attend LA SURF training or games.
- Fit for School = Fit for LA SURF.
- If you are unsure ASK, don’t ASSUME!
For Players 12 years of age and older.
If your child is Vaccinated:
No weekly testing requirement.
- Must follow protocol if exposed to the virus as a close contact.
- You MUST report all exposure to the club and follow all isolation and quarantine protocols.
- If for ANY COVID related reason players are told to stay at home then they should NOT attend LA SURF training or games.
- Fit for School = Fit for LA SURF.
- If you are unsure ASK, don’t ASSUME!
If You child is Unvaccinated:
PLEASE READ FULLY
- Due to the LA County Health Order released on August 30th 2021, all unvaccinated players 12 years of age and above MUST test weekly and have a negative test to continue to attend training and games.
- Tests taken at school fulfill this commitment.
- In addition, YOU MUST confirm that your child has tested NEGATIVE PRIOR to participating in weekend games.
- Please plan your testing timeline accordingly.
- YOU MUST email your COACH and cc LA SURF (health@wearelasurf.com) in writing to fulfill the demands of the order on a weekly
- Players NOT reporting a negative test to the coach AND CLUB will NOT be allowed to play.
Mask wearing, health checks and washing of hands or sanitizing hands often are critical to protect our ability to compete and keep our members safe. Please know that we are watching the situation carefully and will continue to proactively share updates as they impact our organization. The safety and security of our soccer community is, and always will be, our highest priority.
Stay Safe. Be Kind.
Barry Ritson
