It’s great to see some teams have started their pre-season training.
In order to keep the momentum of training going, the following directives from the HFL are designed to minimise the risk of “close contact” between players, coaches and other volunteers, so that we can try and reduce the impact of teams being unable to train and play during the season.
MASKS
Masks are not required to be worn during football training and matches, however social distancing guidelines from SA Health still need to be followed.
A mask is COMPULSORY when players, coaches and other club volunteers are indoors – this is not just limited to meetings within the club room facilities, it also includes instances where players are inside change room facilities either before, during or after training sessions.
Players should not be encouraged to use the change rooms unless essential and meetings should take place outdoors wherever possible. Any activity inside any of the Club facilities requires that masks be worn at all times as per the current SA Health directives.
CLOSE CONTACTS
The SAPOL COVID-19 Coordination Group has provided clarification around the application of the close contact guidelines.
For a person to be considered to have close personal interaction it must include all of the following conditions:
- for 15 minutes or more; and
- where masks are not worn by the person and the COVID-19 case; and
- in close physical proximity; and
- occurring in an indoor setting.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 15 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆.
Where a positive COVID-19 case is confirmed to have participated in a training or match activity, each individual and/or parent/guardian needs to make their own assessment as to whether they (or their child) meets ALL of the above criteria.
There needs to be an element of common sense when assessing the above and we respect the decisions made by parents in relation to their children’s participation.
Any individual that is considered to be a close contact or is displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 should follow the directions regarding isolation and quarantine requirements, as published by SA Health and SAPOL.
Please be aware that the guidelines around 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 are SA Dept of Education guidelines and do not apply to external/club sport activities.
The HFL Board will continue to provide updated information as we will share this as we receive it.
We look forward to working together to ensure that the impact of COVID-19 on the 2022 season is kept to a minimum and as restrictions continue to ease we will provide clubs with updates and guidance.
Should you wish to discuss any of these matters, please feel free to contact myself of the club Secretary
- President: scott@trimad.com.au
- Club Secretary: secretary@mtloftydevils.com.au
On behalf of the Mt Lofty District Football Club
Scott Taylor
President