On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, several member organizations of the US Soccer Federation (USSF) Youth Council mutually agreed to postpone all soccer activities of the respective organizations. This includes practices, training, matches, and tournaments. The Chief Medical Officer for US Soccer participated in the discussions. The Youth Council members included in the discussion were US Club Soccer, USYS, SAY Soccer, USSSA, and AYSO. This policy will remain in place until further notice. The five groups will continue to coordinate the response and recovery of operations as the COVID 19 issue progresses and determine an appropriate point in time to return to soccer activities.
It is difficult to predict when life in many areas will begin to return to “normal”. The US Soccer discussion suggested that a postponement of all activities would exist at least through the Easter holiday. All parties agreed that action was necessary to assist in containing the COVID 19 outbreak and protect the health not only of our players, but our volunteers and supporters as well. The AYSO National Board Of Directors is committed to providing timely updates as more information and clarity becomes available.
As the number of Coronavirus cases identified has been growing, we wanted to give you some best practices, tips and resources to keep you updated and well. Our main priority is the well-being of families, so as you are starting your seasons, please know that AYSO is keeping abreast of all updates related to the outbreak. To that point, we recommend that you stay in contact with our office as well as your local and state departments of Public Health with further questions. Our goal is to provide all members with timely and relevant information on Coronavirus.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent the Coronavirus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed. Everyday preventive actions should be taken, including:
- STAY HOME!
- Avoid public places.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you or a member of your household are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or cleaning wipe.
- Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- You may choose to wear a cloth face covering, or facemask, when you must be in public for essential activities, such as shopping at the grocery store. Wearing a cloth face covering does not eliminate the need to physically distance yourself from others.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms to help prevent the spread of the disease.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after leaving your home, going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Additionally, here are a number of different resources and communications from the CDC and other organizations regarding the Coronavirus:
CDC – Coronavirus Overview
CDC – Frequently Asked Questions
CDC – Travelers Health
WHO – Advice for Coronavirus
U.S. Department of State – Country Specific Travel Information
USOPC – Coronavirus Update
California Dept. of Public Health – Gathering Guidance
Find your local State and Territorial Health Department, here.
Below is a great resource to help understand the differences between Coronavirus, the flu and the common cold that you can share with your communities:
