On Monday, August 23, the Los Angeles County Health Officer issued a revised Health Officer Order that will require us to take certain steps that allow us to continue Athletics here at Southlands Christian School. We understand that things like masks, COVID testing, and other things associated with this virus may be inconvenient or frustrating to deal with at times. Our goal pre-COVID was to give our Student-Athletes the ability to participate in Education-Based athletics. That goal has not changed because of these potential inconveniences. “We can’t change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails to always reach our destination. —Jimmy Dean" These mandatory protocols listed below from the LA County Public Health will allow us to do just that…keep our sports going. These protocols that we will follow are in no way political, “religious”, or anything other than doing what we need to do to give our student-athletes the chance to play the sports that they love. Given the increase in community transmission of COVID-19 and the predominance of the more easily spread Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, masking indoors, regardless of vaccination status, is essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily than strains of the virus that circulated in LA in the past. MASK RULES: ❑ Participants: When indoors, ALL participants, regardless of vaccination status, are to bring and wear masks appropriately (covering the nose and mouth). Participants must wear a face mask covering, even while engaging in physical activity in any indoor setting. When outdoors, participants must wear masks when not actively in the game (sideline, halftime, etc.) ❑ Participants may remove their face masks temporarily to drink water. When participants are drinking, they should maintain a 6-foot distance from others. ❑ Participants are encouraged to bring more than one mask to practice or games in case their mask gets wet or soiled during play. ❑ Spectators: When indoors, ALL spectators, regardless of vaccination status, must bring and wear masks the entire time they are indoors. Their mask may be temporarily pulled down to take a drink of water but must immediately replace the mask. When outdoors, masks shall be worn when social distancing is not possible. Families and spectators should social distance with members of their own household. When using the restroom or entering any other indoor facility, masks must be worn. Failure to abide by this rule will result in being asked to leave the venue. That person will not be allowed to return that day and possibly future events. If the violating spectator is from the visiting team, the game will be stopped until the spectator leaves. If they continue to refuse to leave the facility, it will result in the game ending and will result as a forfeit. Coaches: ALL SCS coaches, regardless of vaccination status, are to bring and wear masks at all times. Coaches must wear masks even when engaged in intense physical activity. Masks may be temporarily taken down for drinking water. SCREENING/TESTING * Spectators and families should self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to attending any event with Southlands Christian Schools (SCS) Athletics or other facilities used by SCS Athletics. At the current time with high community transmission occurring in Los Angeles County, routine testing is required for all athletes and staff participating in moderate or high-risk sports, regardless of vaccination status. All sports offered at SCS, other than Cross Country and Track/Field, currently fall in this category. Required testing cadence is minimum once per week. Testing two times per week is strongly recommended for unvaccinated participants and staff. **In addition, testing must be performed within 48 hours of any inter-team competition and results must be available before the competition begins or the athlete or staff member may not be present at the competition. Southlands Christian Schools will test their athletes and coaches via saliva tests from Inspire Health Alliance. According to Inspire, there is no cost to the school or to the person being tested or their family. The testing will take place at Southlands Christian School. The testing schedule may vary, depending on the current week’s game schedule. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Athletic Director, Mr. Ted Marvel at [email protected]