COVID-19 guidelines

Updated 20 September 2021

This page covers Europa Titans FC COVID-19 guidance for our club and for visiting teams.

Following the UPDATE FOR GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS EASE, published by the FA on 16 July 2021, we have updated our COVID-19 guidelines.

Summary of changes made to COVID-19 guidelines on 20 September 2021:

Lifting most restrictions, but:

  • Keep being careful, follow recommendations

  • Don’t come with symptoms

  • Use NHS Test and Track App

COVID-19 is still a highly infectious and dangerous disease. We recommend all participants (home and visiting teams) follow the guidance given while attending any football activity arranged by ETFC.

All training and matches will be taking place outdoors and no toilets or other facilities will be available.

Recommendations to Reduce Risks

Risk 1:

Someone exhibits COVID-19 symptoms BEFORE a football activity, has tested positive for COVID-19 or is asked to self-isolate due to potential contact with COVID-19.

Actions:

  • DO NOT join any football activity if you show COVID-19 symptoms, have tested COVID-19 positive or have been asked to self-isolate due to close contact with someone infected with COVID-19.

  • Government guidance must be strictly followed.

Risk 2:

Transmission of COVID-19 during play.

Actions:

  • All participants should SANITISE hands with sanitiser when arriving and leaving.

  • Gates will be opened so handles etc. do NOT NEED to be touched.

  • Players to bring their OWN labelled water bottles.

  • Changing and toilet facilities will remain CLOSED.

  • If the football leaves play, where possible it should be retrieved with the feet, not the hands.

  • Participants are encouraged to conduct goal celebrations in a SOCIALLY DISTANT manner.

  • Handshakes before or at the end of the game SHOULD NOT take place.

  • First aid kits must contain masks and gloves for the first aider.

  • If there is a risk of overcrowding (e.g. at the end of a game/training), players, coaches and parents SHOULD WAIT until other groups have left.

Risk 3:

A participant exhibits COVID-19 symptoms DURING a football activity.

Action:

  • The PARTICIPANT in question should be kept SOCIALLY DISTANT from others, in line with government guidance, whilst all other safeguarding criteria are met. If a parent or guardian is not present, they should be informed immediately and asked to collect their child at the soonest possible time.

Risk 4:

A participant tests positive for COVID-19 AFTER a football activity.

Actions:

  • The club has registered a QR CODE that will be displayed at home games and training.

  • All participants over 16 are encouraged to use the NHS TEST AND TRACE app (and sign in at training and at home and away games).

  • All participants are encouraged to report any positive COVID-19 test results to their child’s coach.

  • Coaches will keep contact details for the coach(es) of any visiting club to inform them about any positive COVID-19 test results.

  • The Club can carry on (as match play is not considered ‘close contact’), so no action is needed unless individuals experience symptoms, in which case they must self-isolate from that point as per Government guidance.

If you have any questions around this guidance, please contact the club at welfare@europatitans.org.