Special Circumstances

Common Considerations

Monitor changes in community spread.
- If there is an increase in community spread of COVID-19, use the most appropriate event matrix and consider cancellation of the event
Discourage attendance by higher-risk populations*
- In any event that is for primarily low-risk populations, event materials should discourage attendance by higher-risk populations
Prohibit attendance if sick
- Event materials should prohibit those who are sick from attending.
Having hand washing capabilities, hand sanitizers and tissues available.
Confirm frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces; no selfservice buffets
- Event organizers should develop a plan for cleaning and disinfecting event space before, during and after the event (see “Clean and Disinfect Event Space” below for more)
Find ways to create physical space to minimize close contact as much as possible
- A physical distance of 6 feet should be maintained between event participants as much as possible
Follow university face coverings protocol.

Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers associated with communicating COVID-19 information to event staff and participants.

Information you share should be easily understood by everyone attending the events. Learn more about reaching people of diverse languages and cultures by visiting: Know Your Audience. You also can learn more about communicating to staff in a crisis at: Crisis Communications Plan

Event materials should also:

Discourage attendance by higher-risk populations for their safety
Prohibit attendance if sick

WHAT ACTIONS CAN STAFF AND ATTENDEES TAKE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?

Encourage staff and attendees to take everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread.

Cleaning your hands often.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Staying home when you are sick.
Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces

For more, visit CDC.

PRIOR TO YOUR EVENT

Create an emergency plan to protect the health of your staff, attendees, and the local community. This planning should include:

Encouraging staff and attendees to stay home if sick.
Developing flexible refund policies for attendees.
Providing supplies for attendees and staff that can be used to help prevent the spread of germs.
Consulting local public health officials about your event.

Source: FAQs for Event Organizers & Individuals

EVENT STAFF CONSIDERATIONS

Implement practices of worker health and hygiene. Event staff (workers and volunteers) must diligently address the health risks of working in the close confines of many event spaces. Follow HR and OSHA Guidelines for employee safety.

WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE IF AN ATTENDEE OR STAFF PERSON DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 WHILE AT THE EVENT?

Identify a space that can be used to isolate staff or participants who become ill at the event.

If a staff member or attendee becomes sick at your event, separate them from others as soon as possible and until they can go home. Provide them with clean, disposable face masks to wear, if available. If not available, provide them with a tissue or some other way to cover their coughs and sneezes. If needed, contact emergency services for those who need emergency care. Public transportation, shared rides, and taxis should be avoided for sick persons.

Be sure to contact your supervisor and follow university protocols regarding the possible case of COVID-19 at your event and how to communicate with staff and attendees about possible exposure to the virus.

CLEAN AND DISINFECT EVENT SPACE

CDC has guidance for cleaning and disinfecting rooms and areas where a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 has visited. See Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility.

Special Considerations

ACTIVITIES WITH EXERTION OR HIGHER POSSIBILITY OF AIR DROPLETS

Goal is to maintain healthy operations.

Consider the following strategies:

Protections for People at Higher Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19
- Offer options for individuals at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (risk increases with age, and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at higher risk), such as virtual opportunities.
- Limit participation to people who live in the local geographic area (e.g., community, city, town, or county) to reduce risk of spread from areas with higher levels of COVID-19.
Regulatory Awareness
- Be aware of state or local regulatory agency policies related to group gatherings to determine if events can be held.
Identifying Small Groups and Keeping them Together (Cohorting)
- Keep people together in small groups with dedicated staff, and make sure that each group of people and staff avoid mixing with other groups as much as possible.
Staggered Scheduling
- Stagger arrival and drop-off times or locations by cohort (group) or put in place other protocols to limit contact between groups and others as much as possible.
Gatherings, Spectators, and Travel
- Avoid group events, such as games, competitions, or social gatherings, where spacing of at least 6 feet between people cannot be maintained.
- Limit any nonessential visitors, spectators, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations as much as possible – especially with individuals not from the local geographic area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).
- Avoid activities and events such as off-site competitions or excursions (e.g., watching a professional team compete).
Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact
- Designate a program staff person to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All participants should know who this person is and how to contact them.
Communication Systems
- Put systems in place for:
  - Consistent with applicable law and privacy policies, having participants self-report they have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test for COVID-19, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days in accordance with health information sharing regulations for COVID-19
  - Notifying stakeholders about restrictions in place to limit COVID-19 exposure (e.g., limited hours of operation).
Leave (Time Off) Policies
- Implement flexible sick leave policies and practices for individuals to stay home when they are sick, have been exposed, or caring for someone who is sick.
- Develop policies for return-to-play/participation after COVID-19 illness. CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation and quarantine can inform these policies.
Back-up Staffing Plan
- Monitor absenteeism of staff, cross-train staff, and create a roster of trained back-up personnel.
Staff Training
- Train staff on all safety protocols.
- Conduct training virtually, or ensure that social distancing is maintained during training.
Recognize Signs and Symptoms
- If feasible, conduct daily health checks (e.g., symptom checking) of staff and participants safely and respectfully, and in accordance with any applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
- Youth sports program administrators may use examples of screening methods found in CDC’s supplemental Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open as a guide for screening children, and CDC’s General Business FAQs for screening staff.
Sharing Facilities
- Encourage any organizations that share facilities to also follow these considerations.
Support Coping and Resilience
- Consider posting signs for the national distress hotline:/1-800-985-5990, or text/TalkWithUs/to 66746

ATHLETICS, RECREATION, FITNESS, DANCE, BAND, THEATER, CHOIR, ETC.

Reduce the Risk
Pursue options to convene sporting events and participate in sports activities in ways that reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to players, families, coaches, and communities.

Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact
Designate an administrator or office to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All students, faculty and staff should know who this person is and how to contact them.

Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/gatherings.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/considerations.html

If there is substantial spread of COVID-19 in the community, CDC recommends cancelling events of any size.
In addition to the above considerations, adhere to CDC guidance, State and County Public Health Guidance.

YOUTH PROGRAMS AND CAMPS

It is important that GVSU conducts itself much like other organizations as it pertains to youth programs and camps, following state COVID orders, LARA guidance and CDC guidance. Please review these three weblinks as you are planning youth programs and camps. Additionally, it is critical youth program/camp directors understand MIOSHA rules. See LARA overview for camp operations guidance.

All camp directors will be responsible for developing communications for campers with all of the information listed below as appropriate for your camp. The CDC provides a Camp Planning Tool as a good reference.

GVSU Required Documentation:

Completion of Minors on Campus forms
Completion of COVID waiver forms
Completion of Visitor Self-Assessment daily, or other COVID screening tool pre-approved
Completion of Concussion Document for Sports-related camps
Per CDC for Overnight Camps, Provide vaccination card, 90-day COVID positive letter, or negative test administered within 48-hours of first day of camp
For COVID Testing Requirements for Sports Camps see MDHHS Guidance for Sports

Expected COVID mitigation steps taken by Youth Program/Camp Director:

Daily review of symptoms and personal hygiene reminders with all campers
Risk-mitigation protocols document provided to all campers before the first day
- Campers placed in cohorts/teams (staff should keep record to provide contract tracing staff if needed)
- Physical distancing protocols (meals/housing/drop off/pick up)
- Check In/Check Out procedures
  - Physically distanced drop off/pick up
  - Non-contact registration or check in/check out socially distanced
- Face Coverings requirements per GVSU face covering policy
- Information on where to obtain a Coronavirus - Test (michigan.gov)
- Self Assessment/Symptom monitoring protocols
  - Required daily by all campers and camp staff both day and overnight
    - Participants – Visitor Self-Assessment or pre-approved screening protocol
    - Camp Staff – GVSU Visitor Assessment or GVSU Employee/Student Self Assessment– green heart shown to camp director daily
    - Daily COVID review with all campers about symptoms and reporting process
    - First Aid trained staff available at all camps that will assist in directing symptomatic participant to isolation areas to await parent/guardian pick up
- Symptomatic camper protocols
  - Isolation space identified for every camp.
  - Meals coordinated for isolated individual with Campus Dining if needed
  - Day camps: Isolation space at venue to separate symptomatic individual from rest of campers as they await parent/guardian pick up
  - Supervision of isolated individual until picked up per Minors on Campus policy
  - Upon pick up, parent/guardian will be given document that outlines what they should do. This document should contain the following. Please also prepare an email that can follow as well.
    - Please seek medical advice from your doctor regarding the symptoms of your child.
    - If your child tests positive for COVID, please contact the following:
      - Your local Health Department
      - Camp Director (your information here)
- Positive COVID case protocols
  - If you are contacted directly regarding a positive case, please report case to [email protected]
  - Report any positive tests or if a sick camper that you sent home notifies you of being COVID positive.
  - Parent should be advised to contact their local health department and the camp director
  - The camp director will provide the camper’s name and contact information along with cohort information to [email protected]. Provide information such as:
    - When was the staff/camper in attendance?
    - Who is the staff/camper near (less than six feet) throughout the day?
    - Has there been adequate physical distancing throughout the day?
    - Are there others at the camp that live with the staff or camper in the same household?
    - When are face masks worn in the camp?

Meal considerations:

Small groups (cohorting) and socially distanced is best. For example, groups of 6 campers, seated 6 feet apart, no intermingling (indoor or outdoor)
Staggered meal times as necessary based on campus dining capacity limits
Meals not administered by GVSU dining facilities must be pre-packaged or boxed

Cleaning Protocols

Each camp director will ensure work order is completed for space cleaning as appropriate for camp and also for isolation space if needed for residential camp.
All shared equipment must be sanitized daily

Spectators