Association Members,

Hockey is Back!  But, with the current health crisis, we must set forth some recommendations for our membership moving forward for the 20-21 season.  We have no way of knowing what the future may hold, but by following the below recommendations, we can all help ensure the safety of our players, members, and our community.

We strongly recommend and encourage all of our players, parents, coaches, volunteers, spectators, etc. follow current recommendations by the CDC, local ordinances, and rink policies and procedures.  At this time we are following CDC guidelines and recommending the following precautions:

• All members of our association as well as respective spectators are strongly encouraged to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when in the rink, lobby area, stands, and locker rooms.  Players and Coaches do not need to wear a mask while on the bench or on the ice but may choose to do so if they feel it’s necessary.
• Maintain proper social distancing whenever possible.  Allow six feet between yourself and others.
• Wash hands and use hand sanitizer as often as possible.
• Anyone with a fever greater than 100.4 will not be allowed to participate in activities until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
• If you have a fever, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, difficulty breathing, or a sore throat, please stay home and self-monitor.

In addition to the CDC guidelines, we are making the following recommendations:

• We strongly encourage players to come dressed to the rink when possible.  Locker Rooms will be available in most cases, but for everyone’s safety, we are asking players to minimize time spent in these spaces.  Get in, Get Dressed, Get Out!
• Parents will not be allowed in the locker rooms for the Squirt (U10 Levels) and up.  A designated locker room monitor will be available to assist players as needed.  Mite (8 & Under) Players are allowed to have 1 parent in the locker room to assist in changing, but again, please consider arriving dressed to the rink.
• We are also strongly encouraging everyone to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to practice, 1 hour prior to games, and staying no longer than 15 minutes after practices and games.
• In some venues, attendance will be limited.  We will do our best to communicate all rink policies to teams that are traveling.
• If at all possible, please drop your player off for practice and leave the building.  If necessary, we would like to recommend only 1 adult be present for every player to help minimize contact.
• Please consider just bringing your immediate family to games when possible.

The Fremont Ice Association also realizes that there most likely will be a situation in which a member of our association is in direct contact with or tests positive for COVID-19.  To ensure the safety of everyone within the hockey community, we recommend:

• If in direct contact with an individual testing positive for COVID-19, we ask that you quarantine for ten days and until symptom-free and are fever free for 72 hours.
• If a participant produces a negative test, they will be allowed back into team activities.
• If a participant is on quarantine or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please stay at home and follow the recommendations of their licensed physician.
• Coaches and Program Administrators have the discretion to remove individuals from participating and attending any Fremont Ice Association events.
• The Board has appointed Michele Beattie as COVID Liason for the 2020-21 season.  The COVID Liaison will be responsible for:
  •  Assisting the board, teams, coaches, and players with any COVID related matters.
  • Updating COVID policy as conditions change
  • Keeping record of any COVID cases within the organization and anyone in quarantine
  • Reporting to members if they have been in direct contact with anyone who has received a positive COVID test
  • Notifying the board, teams, coaches, and players of local rink, city, and state guidelines in places that teams are traveling too.
  • Direct point of contact with any member of the organization for any COVID related matters
• If conditions warrant, play may be suspended on a team basis for an undetermined amount of time.  We will evaluate weekly and notify our members of any changes that are deemed necessary.

Please be transparent and report any positive tests and possible exposures as soon as possible to the COVID Liaison.  Contact information for the COVID Liaison will be posted on our website.  We all want to get back to the sport we love and it will take all of us working together to make sure the season continues.  By complying with these measures, we hope to provide everyone with the safest environment possible for the sport of hockey.  Please follow the outlined recommendations that we have in place to help us flatten the curve.  If you have any questions about these policies, please feel free to reach out to any of our board members.

Sincerely,

Fremont Flyers Hockey