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GENERAL TVA TOURNAMENT COVID PROTOCOL*

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE PER EVENT

We are doing our best to take every precaution we can to keep everyone safe with the pandemic. In order to do so, everyone who attends our events will need to do the same. Below is an outline of our general TVA COVID Protocol. How we handle each event will be based on the continuing situation, the current governing guidelines, and facility guidelines. Hence, the protocol outlined below is subject to change. 

As of March 1, 2021 here is what we have in place.

• ANYONE who is not willing to follow these guidelines will be asked to leave the facility with NO refund.
• Venue-specific protocol will be included for each event on the information page once created and shared. We have generally been able to get these out the Monday prior to the tournament weekend if not earlier when possible.
• Coaches and club directors are responsible for confirming that all athletes and coaches participating in this event have not had COVID-19 symptoms or come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the event or has had a temperature greater than 99.9 degrees. 
• Parents/Spectators are responsible for confirming that they themselves and their athletes participating in this event have not had COVID-19 symptoms or come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the event or has had a temperature greater than 99.9 degrees. If this is the case, please inform your coach(es) and club director(s). 
• Individuals who are sick or simply not feeling well must stay home.
• Individuals who are at risk or immunocompromised are encouraged to stay home.

SPECTATORS

• At this time we are following each venue’s policy for spectators. A general guideline is 12 spectators per team in the building and on the court at one time, but this will be specific to each venue. We will all have to be flexible as this is an ever changing situation and we may move numbers up and down.
• Admissions staff will be keeping track of the number of spectators per team.
• Everybody counts as part of the spectator limit unless 2 years or younger. We highly recommend leaving children at home if possible because they do count towards the overall team spectator count and will need a paid pass.
• We are not responsible for who enters for each team. If this is something that needs to be arranged in advance with your parents, we highly encourage teams to do so. 
• Please be respectful of our staff if they must break the news that the limit has been reached and one may not enter.

ENTERING THE BUILDING

• A wristband is required by everyone to enter. Specific information will be provided regarding this for each event within the week of the event.
• Only teams playing, teams reffing, and the allotted number of spectators of teams playing will be allowed in the venue. Some venues are only able to allow individuals in during the time of their game or reffing assignment. Others are able to allow everyone to stay in the venue during their wave. Regardless of the specific policy, everyone must immediately exit once their wave ends.
• Only teams playing, the allotted number of spectators of teams playing, and teams reffing will be allowed on the court surface. Anyone not playing within the wave, should be in other areas of the gym other than the courts. There is ample space around the facility. Please, space out appropriately.
• We will have specifics on entering each venue based on each venue’s layout and policies. When possible, we will provide a separate entrance and exit. This will depend on the venue of each event.
• All individuals entering the facility will have a temperature scan. Those with a temperature exceeding 99.9 will not be allowed to enter.
• Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days prior to the event or any individual who has been exposed to COVID-19 will not be allowed in the facility. If either of these apply to you, please do your part and STAY home!

WHILE IN THE BUILDING

• Everyone over the age of 5 will be required to properly (over the nose and mouth) wear a face mask at all times. There is absolutely NO exception for the mask policy.
• One representative from each team will be allowed to videotape from the endline of their team.
• Only the adults and athletes listed on the team roster are to be on a team's bench.
• Team huddles, post-game chats, and pictures will need to take place off the court unless playing the next match.
• Teams will not be switching sides between sets.
• Working athletes will be required to work that entire game and will not be allowed to switch out workers during their working assignment. One coach, and the exact number of workers needed (usually 6) be the only members of the team allowed to stay in the facility during their work assignment.
• R1 and R2 are to use electronic whistles.
• Parents of working athletes will not be allowed to stay on the court or in the facility (depending on each venue’s policy) during their teams working assignment.

EXITING THE BUILDING

• Once a game is over, some venues will require that teams and spectators will immediately exit.
• Some venues will require that team huddles, post-game chats, and pictures will need to take place outside.

RESTRICTIONS

• Avoid changing in the bathroom when possible. Aka, athletes, come prepared and dressed in your uniforms.
• Seating will depend on the venue. Most do not allow outside chairs but allow bleacher seats and seat cushions.
• No concessions or outside food allowed. Please plan accordingly. Food will be required to stay outside at all times. 
• No tailgate tents will be allowed.
• No shaking hands.
• No walking to another court. Please respect each team’s limited spectator space. This includes coaches and athletes who are not a part of the team currently playing or reffing.
• No firearms permitted.
• No smoking is permitted inside at any time (Electronic cigarettes / vapes included.) 
• No alcohol is permitted to be brought into the facility.
• No pets are allowed. This includes service animals not trained to perform a necessary life-saving task as defined by VA State Law.
• Only rostered tournament participants may bring in larger bags. Spectators may bring in one small personal bag. For example, a handbag, purse, camera bag. No backpacks, duffle bags, coolers, etc.

SANITIZING

• Every venue has their own protocol for sanitizing.
• If the venue does not provide their own products for cleaning, we will provide wipes at the ref tables and encourage teams to wipe down their benches and the ref area between sets and after matches.
• Refs will have protocols that they will have teams follow. For example, no hand shaking, wiping down the ball between matches, etc.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation to make this possible. The safety of members and visitors (customers) will always be our number one priority!

TVA Staff