Yes, IF the coach consistently and routinely engages with participants at a distance of greater than 2 metres during all other activities, the coach may be on the bench with the team IF the coach (1) wears a mask, (2) practices hand hygiene, and (3) is separated from the players in the bench area as much as possible.

For example, within an indoor boarded facility, the coach should stand at the opposite end of the bench (box referee side) while the players remain at the other side.

Yes, if the coach or identified adult on the roster is part of the sport cohort AND the referee has signalled them onto the field.

Yes, if the coach or identified adult who is NOT part of the sport cohort wears a mask and practices proper hand hygiene AND the referee has signalled them onto the field.

Yes, if your club forms an internal sport cohort within your club. Cohort/mini-league rules will apply such as, a maximum of 50 individuals per sport cohort and a two-week cohort break is required if any changes to the cohort are made.

Yes, waivers MUST be signed prior to participating. A generic waiver has been provided to all Districts.

Yes, so long as the records are traceable. Organization must be able to access a record that indicates the Daily Screening was done prior to attending the activity in the event that this information is required by AHS investigators during contact tracing.

Yes, children and youth will need a parent to assist them when completing the screening tool.

Yes, contact tracing and health screening records cannot be delegated to a facility. In the event of an AHS investigation, the mini-league coordinator must be able to provide these records upon request. AHS investigators will not call a facility when completing an investigation at a team/mini-league level.

On November 5, Alberta Health Services announced that changes were being introduced to contact tracing due to a severe backlog within AHS. AHS provided a definition of a close contact, including the time period in which someone would be deemed infectious. AHS also asked all individual Albertans to self-report their positive test result to the event organizers that they attended while infectious. Event organizers were then asked to assist individuals in notifying the close contacts at the event. As such, Alberta Soccer has provided guidance to our members on how to assist with contact tracing during this time.

AHS Guidance for Contact Tracing Notification Process

AHS Information for Close Contacts of a COVID-19 Case

Pre-existing conditions will not eliminate them from participation, rather atypical/unusual symptoms would. A family decision should be made regarding asthma or other similar pre-existing conditions. If the condition is under control it should not preclude players from participation.

Yes, the isolation period for an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 is for 10 days from the start of symptoms, or until symptoms resolve, whichever takes longer.

See: AHS Guidelines for Isolation Requirements

Provided that the AHS Guidance is followed, there is no need to cancel an activity, or postpone the undertaking of a cohort, in the event that an individual becomes sick. It is important that all cohorts keep daily program attendance to share with AHS if tracing is required.

As of November 5, AHS has provided a definition of Close Contact to include all members of the sport team of the confirmed COVID-19 test and any teams that played that team during the infectious period.

The team(s) identified as close contacts of the confirmed COVID-19 test will be required to observe a 14-day cohort break.

Referees who officiated who were not included in affected cohorts could be notified of the situation as a courtesy by the Event Organizer but it is not a requirement.

When notifying cohorts in these situations, Members must ensure they maintain the privacy of the self-identified individual and should encourage the individuals who are experiencing a 14-day cohort break to monitor themselves for symptoms. AHS Scripts should be used when doing so.

See: AHS COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool

See: AHS COVID Testing/Online Booking

Alberta Soccer will be following the script provided by AHS for Close Contact Notification which includes the statement that individuals must self-isolate and should go for testing.

While this individual is legally required to self-isolate, the team and/or cohort they belong to does NOT need to experience a 14-day cohort break.

An individual must be in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive case to be considered a close contact.

As of October 26, 2020, if a positive case attended an event while infected, AHS will notify the organizer and provide them with written notification that can be directly emailed to all event attendees. These emails are expected to be distributed within 24 hours of AHS contact.

AHS may also contact the coach, the league organizer, the club, the zone, the district or the facility.

It is important that all cohorts keep daily program attendance to assist with contact tracing efforts.

On November 5, AHS updated the definition of Close Contact to include:

• Close contacts are defined as anyone that was within two metres of a positive case of COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, even if a mask was worn during that contact.
• A close contact is ALSO someone who has had direct contact with bodily fluids of a person who has COVID19 (e.g., was coughed or sneezed on), or who provided direct care for a person who has COVID-19.

For sports that involve close, sustained or intermittent and repeated contact, all members of the teams playing each other are considered close contacts when there is a case on a team.

Anyone who falls into any of the above categories is considered a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

If someone on your soccer team tests positive for COVID-19, you are considered a close contact and must isolate for 14 days from the time you were exposed. It is recommended that you get tested for COVID19.

If you competed against another soccer team that has a confirmed case of COVID-19, you will be contacted by the Event Organizer if your teams competed during the infectious period. See: AHS Information for Close Contacts of a COVID-19 Case

See: AHS Information for Close Contacts of a COVID-19 Case

As of November 5, AHS has asked that individual Albertans voluntarily report their positive COVID-19 test result to anyone who they have been in close contact with. In soccer, because it is considered an Organized Event, you should contact the Event Organizer to share with them the result of your COVID-19 test. They will then, confidentially, inform individuals who would be considered close contacts during your infectious period. They will need to know the date of your COVID-19 swab (if no symptoms) or your first day of symptoms. They will also need to verify your attendance two days prior to that date.

As an individual you may choose to inform your coach or team manager, club, league, or district association.

For more information on Contact Tracing for Individuals, please visit AHS Contact Tracing Notification Process.