Sallisaw Football Program Announces 'Safe Return to Play' Guidelines

SHS players practicing during last year's Summer Pride program.

The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) Board of Directors met in a special meeting May 22 to discuss summertime activities. The Board rejected the organization's proposed guidelines for COVID-19 and voted to conduct summertime activities in accordance with current Rules and Policies as stated in the Administrators Handbook.

The vote essentially allows schools to conduct business as usual for their summer athletic programs. Most schools will be developing and implementing a set of safety guidelines in response to ongoing coronavirus concerns.

The Sallisaw High School football program is one of the first school's in the area to announce their 'Safe Return to Play' plan for their Summer Pride program. Head Coach Randon Lowe stated the guidelines were developed with the assistance of Dr. Christopher Orendorff, MD and David Martin, PHR. 

"The plan was implemented to ensure the safety of all players, staff and their families for summer time activites," said Lowe.

All players and personnel are expected to comply 100 percent with each item outlined in the plan. 

Policies and procedures for the SHS Football Summer Pride program held at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium are as follows:

*During Phase 1, all participants will be temperature screened upon entrance into the facility.

*Each person entering the facility must self-report any symptoms to football staff (elevated temperature greater than 100.4 degrees, dry cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, etc). Participants with any symptoms will not be permitted to participate until they are without symptoms and have been afebrile (without fever) for at least 24 hours.

*Hand sanitizing stations will be made available upon entry, in the weight room, and in the outdoor workout area.

*Hands must be washed or hand sanitizer used prior to entering the facility and touching any equipment.

*Locker rooms and/or restrooms will be sanitized daily.

*Perry F. Lattimore Field House will be separated into sections to ensure safe traffic flow. 

*Social distancing will be practiced in all possible situations.

*Equipment will be sanitized regularly and at the end of each day.

*No shared hydrating bottles, towels, gloves, or any other personal equipment is permitted. Participants must bring their own water bottles/drinks etc.

*There will be a one-way entrance for screening and a separate one-way exit to reduce cross-contamination and ensure safe traffic flow.

*If a player tests positive for COVID-19, they will be required to be on a 14-day quarantine. They must communicate their diagnosis to the football staff, follow their provider's direction, and cannot return to the football facility without clearance from their provider.

*Participants will be grouped together throughout the summer to ensure tracing capability in the case of a positive diagnosis.

*Phase 1 will include High School Boys and Girls (for the month of June). Elementary and Junior High will be allowed to participate during Phase 2, tentatively scheduled for the month of July.

*Personal masks, bandannas, and other face coverings are permitted.

The policy goes on to state, "The situation surrounding COVID-19 is fluid and adjustments may be made as deemed appropriate by football staff/personnel."

KXMX News Staff 

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