COVID-19 Guidelines

*updated 7/11/2022 | compiled with guidance from CDC, VDH, and NCAA Winter Training and Competition recommendations

We expect our families to follow the guidelines of the facilities we are using for both practices and meets, realizing that facility protocols may differ and be more comprehensive than our current guidelines. Willful or intentional neglect of team policy will not be tolerated. This is a fluid process and guidelines change quickly, so we will send facility-specific guidelines by email as they are revised and post the most up-to-date information on our website.

 

Guidelines for Families of the Virginia Gators of Harrisonburg

  • Please refer to specific policies for our practice facilities that are distributed by email and posted on the website. Currently Westover and JMU do not require masks to be worn inside their respective facilities. 
  • Information for meet facilities will be distributed before each meet and posted under the relevant “Events” tab.
  • Additional facility guidelines: Parents are welcome to attend practices, but are asked to sit along in the bleachers (JMU) or along the edge of the bubble (Westover) to allow coaches to work; please be respectful of other families on deck. 

Temperatures will not be taken prior to pool entry, but we request that children do not attend practice if they have a fever (100.4 or above) or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID.

COVID+ or Close Contact Guidelines

  • Positive for COVID: Notify Coach Scot, Coach Curtis, or Jolanthe Erb ([email protected]) if you are positive for COVID. If you test positive for COVID, you will need to isolate for a minimum of five days regardless of vaccination status. Participation in swimming during days six through ten can be considered following a negative PCR/NAAT test or antigen test. All swimmers may return to practice after 10 days of symptom onset/positive test (whichever is earlier) as long as fever-free for 24 hours without medication and symptoms have improved. 
  • Positive contact for COVID: A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of a person (3 feet masked) who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, direct exposure to respiratory secretions (coughed/sneezed on, sharing utensils, kissing), or providing care for or living with someone with COVID-19. If close contact is ongoing (i.e. living in household with positive contact), please count most recent exposure/contact as exposure starting point.​​

    • Swimmers who are exposed to COVID but have no symptoms do NOT need to quarantine from practice but DO need to wear and mask to and from the pool for the next 10 days.

      It is recommended that the swimmer also be tested on Day 6 or after. If a swimmer develops symptoms then they should isolate until testing is performed.

  • If a swimmer tests positive for COVID-19, the swimmers in the practice session (same lane or neighboring lanes) will be notified. Any unvaccinated swimmer in that practice who meets the close contact definition above will be required to quarantine from practice/meets for at least 5 days with a negative test result completed 5 days or more from the date of exposure. Vaccinated swimmers who are close contacts may remain in practice, with a request that the above guidelines (masking and testing on day five) are followed. 

Before Swimming

  • PLEASE do not attend practice if you don’t feel well – practice is not worth the risk to the entire team if there is even a possibility you might have COVID-19.
  • Wash your hands with disinfectant soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.
  • Bring a full water bottle to avoid touching a tap or water fountain handle.
  • Wear your suit to practice.

Arrival On-Deck

  • (If required by facility) Please wear a mask when entering the facility and when finished with practice to exit the facility
  • We ask that ALL swimmers stay at least 6 feet apart from others at all times while at the pool facility.
  • (If required by facility) All parents remaining in practice facilities must remain masked at all times. 

When Swimming

  • Do not share food, drinks, towels, or any other equipment.
  • No spitting in the pool or touching other swimmers at any time.
  • A maximum of FOUR swimmers per lane are permitted at Westover facilities, per facility guidelines, but may increase/decrease as facility allows.
  • Swimmers MUST follow these guidelines and the direction of the coach or they will not be permitted to practice.

 

 

SOURCE INFORMATION