COVID-19 Guidelines

UPDATED 4/14/2021

Exercising and physical activity are important for physical and mental health and should be continued for healthy living, especially now. However, it is necessary to take precautions to reduce exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. There are multiple factors that increase the risk of COVID-19 spread in gyms and fitness centers, but there are ways to reduce this risk. 

Therefore, we will be adhering to the following recommended guidelines for indoor and outdoor training: 
  • Proximity: Activities will be set up to allow for at least 6 feet social distance between participants whenever possible, both during active gameplay and for other participants not actively exercising or involved in the activity. 
  • Face coverings: 
    • Face coverings will be required for coaches and spectators at all times.
    • Face coverings will be required for players when they are not actively competing as long as social distancing can be maintained. Athletes must continue to wear face coverings in these sports and activities when they are not actively competing (i.e. athletes and coaches on bench or in dugout).
    • For healthy people, wearing masks during exercise has not been shown to be harmful. However, individuals affected by lung disease, such as asthma or COPD, or heart disease, should be evaluated by a healthcare provider before participating with any mask. 
    • Consider having more than one mask on hand so that you can easily replace a moist mask with a dry one if necessary. 
  • Temperature checks: Temperatures will be taken upon arrival at each practice. 
  • Process: If any coach, participant, or spectator reports having any COVID-19 related symptoms, individuals should contact their health care provider. If multiple individuals report having any COVID-19 related symptoms, we will notify the local health department within three days of being informed of the presence of COVID-19 symptoms; if multiple individuals test positive for COVID-19, we will notify the local health department within one day of positive test results. 
  • Attendance: We will be using the RSVP feature in GameChanger Team Manager for attendance logging (in the event we need to do contact tracing), so please be sure to RSVP for practices. 

Do not attend practice if: 

  • You have tested positive for COVID-19. 
  • You are showing any symptoms of COVID-19. 
  • Any of the people in your household or close contacts have tested positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19. 
  • Any of the people in your household or close contacts have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19. 
  • You have been recently tested for COVID-19 and are waiting on test results. 
  • All individuals should be on alert for symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath and taking temperature if symptoms develop. 
  • You are eligible to return to practice after a negative test (either yours or the person who was potentially exposed), or after self-quarantining for 14 days without symptoms. 

 Key takeaways: 

  • Stay home if you’re sick (COVID-19 or otherwise). 
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home. 
  • Participants should sanitize hands regularly. 
  • Participants should use their own equipment (e.g., helmet, bat, gloves) as much as practical. 
  • Participants should place personal belongings at least 6 feet away from others’ personal belongings. 
  • Adults dropping off or picking up participants should wait outside and not enter the facility. 
  • Any individual who has had close contact (15 min or more) with any other person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days after the last/ most recent contact with the infected individual and should seek a COVID-19 test at a state or local government testing center, healthcare center or other testing locations. 
Thank you for helping us provide the safest experience for our athletes. If you have any questions or suggestions for improving our guidelines, please feel free to reach out. We are committed to providing the safety experience possible for our entire Thunder Family.

Travel Policy

Thunder Fastpitch will adopt a two-pronged approach for travel guidance based on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and our ability to implement recommended mitigation strategies. We will be following the recommended travel guidance from the Cook County Department of Public Health and the CDC.

Non-Vaccinated Participants (Players, Coaches, etc.)

According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, anyone traveling from a state on the Orange list on this webpage (Cook County has adopted the City of Chicago’s Travel Order) is directed to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in suburban Cook County or quarantine for a 10-day period.

Participants should communicate travel plans with their coaching staff to manage attendance expectations around vacations, Spring Break, etc... If returning prior to the 10-day period, participants will be asked to provide evidence of the negative test results prior to returning.

Vaccinated Participants (Players, Coaches, etc.)

According to the CDC “When to Quarantine” guidance - people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against the disease within the last three months and show no symptoms. As such, participants will not be required to quarantine or obtain a negative test upon return from travel if they meet the following criteria:
  • At least two weeks have passed since the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
  • It’s been within 90 days of the second dose
  • The individual is showing no symptoms
Participants may be asked to provide proof of the vaccination prior to approval for re-entry into activities.