Return to Training Guidance for Athletes, Coaches, Clubs, and Associations post-COVID-19

This guidance document (“Guidance”) on return to training considerations post-COVID-19 has been developed by USATF’s COVID-19 Working Group, composed of medical and scientific experts in the fields of sports medicine, physiology, infectious disease, and epidemiology.  This Guidance is based on and includes portions of specific content from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee guidance document on return to training considerations and World Health Organization (“WHO”) mass gathering guidance.

This Guidance sets as primary consideration the rules and regulations provided by public health authorities and state and local governments, which will be different across the country.  The secondary consideration should be the specific recommendations set forth in this document.  In either case (State/Local or USATF), whichever regulations are more restrictive should be the guidance that is followed.  This does not prevent associations, local clubs, and events from adopting even more strict or more conservative approaches than those mandated by local public health authorities or recommended by the USATF Guidance.
 
This Guidance (v1.3) should be considered a “living document.”  This means that the document’s criteria and recommendations are based on known factors at the time of writing.  As more information becomes available concerning COVID-19, this Guidance will be updated as appropriate and new version(s) released to the USATF membership.

Finally, although the young and healthy tend to have less severe cases of COVID-19, every case of this disease is potentially life-altering or deadly in any age group, but particularly so in USATF athletes, coaches, and officials with select risk factors - such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, immune suppression, neurologic disorders affecting respiration, or individuals of advanced age. Until a vaccine is developed, long-term immunity can be confirmed, or a cure is found, there is no way of completely eliminating the risk of fatal infection.  This should always be in the forefront when considering return to training decisions.

 
Return to Training Phases
Step 1:  Determine current state government requirements and regulations.  Links to find this information for your state can be found here: https://web.csg.org/covid19/state-covid-19-websites-and-related-resources/.
 
Step 2:  Determine if there are any local or county public health authority notices with restrictions on activities in the community.  Finding this information will differ by location, but normally can be found through your county government webpage.

Step 3:  Using that information, determine the appropriate phase below that applies to your local community:
 

Phase 1	Public health authorities or local / state government require shelter in place.
Phase 2	Public health authorities or local / state government lift shelter in place requirements but continue to prohibit group activities.
Phase 3	Public health authorities allow small group activities (typically 10 people or less), but most public training facilities remain closed.
Phase 4	Public health authorities allow public training facilities to open with no limitations on group size.
Phase 5	A vaccine or cure for COVID-19 is developed (possible future amending to include broad serological testing to confirm immunity in a large segment of the population).

 
Step 4:  See the specific guidance for each phase listed below.
 
**Note, in all phases proper hygiene and social distancing practices should be followed**

Phase 1:   Public health authorities require shelter in place
It is recommended that you only leave your home for essential work or errands and follow infection prevention measures when in public (See Appendix 1 for appropriate infection prevention measures). Follow CDC guidance or current state regulations that may mandate wearing a mask.

Follow and maintain proper social distancing behavior. Complete rigorous, frequent cleaning protocol of living space and athletic equipment with disinfectant.*
 

Activities that are PERMITTED	Activities that are NOT PERMITTED
Individual training sessions in your home using your own equipment	In-person training with other athletes
Coaching that is done virtually	Coaching that is done in-person
General physical activity (e.g., walking, running) on public streets if allowed in your community and social distancing can be maintained	Training in public venues where others commonly gather and/or social distancing not possible (e.g. city parks, weight rooms, hiking trails, gyms)

 
*Cleaning of living spaces and training facilities should follow the CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.  Frequently touched areas (e.g., door handles, light switches) should be cleaned multiple times daily.  Work-out equipment should be cleaned with anti-septic cleansers prior to use, between use by different athletes, and after use.  At home, fresh food should be washed carefully before eating.  Wash hands prior to cleaning and/or eating food.  Dishes should be washed at high temperatures, preferably in a dishwasher. 
 
Follow and maintain proper social distancing behavior.  Complete rigorous, frequent cleaning protocol of living space and athletic equipment with disinfectant.*

Follow infection prevention measures when in public (Appendix 1).  Follow CDC guidance or current state regulations that may mandate wearing a mask.
 

Activities that are PERMITTED	Activities that are NOT PERMITTED
Individual training sessions in your home or outside (maintaining social distancing) using your own equipment	In-person training with other athletes
Coaching that is done virtually	Coaching that is done in-person
General physical activity (e.g., walking, running) on public streets if allowed in your community	Training in public venues where others commonly gather (e.g. city parks, weight rooms, gyms)

 
*Cleaning of living spaces and training facilities should follow the CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.  Frequently touched areas (e.g., door handles, light switches) should be cleaned multiple times daily.  Work-out equipment should be cleaned with anti-septic cleansers prior to use, between use by different athletes, and after use.  At home, fresh food should be washed carefully before eating.  Wash hands prior to cleaning and/or eating food.  Dishes should be washed at high temperatures, preferably in a dishwasher. 
 
 

Follow and maintain proper social distancing behavior.  Complete rigorous, frequent cleaning protocol of living space and athletic equipment with disinfectant.*

Follow infection prevention measures when in public (Appendix 1).  Follow CDC guidance or current state regulations that may mandate wearing a mask.
 

REQUIRED criteria for participation in group training sessions (includes athletes, coaches, and staff)	Comments / Rationale
No signs or symptoms of COVID-19 (see Appendix 2) in the past 7 days	If a person has had a case of documented COVID-19 infection, they need a note from their doctor indicating that they are cleared for participation.
No travel outside of the community (where group training takes place) within 14 days prior to training with the group.  Travel outside the community requires 14 days of self-quarantine in this phase.	This requirement reduces the risk of introducing COVID-19 into the training group by someone traveling from a different region
No close sustained contact with anyone who is sick within 14 days of beginning group training	This requirement reduces the risk of introducing COVID-19 into the training group by someone who may have COVID-19 but isn’t sick yet
Infection prevention measures should be followed during practice and when in public (Appendix 1)	Follow CDC guidance or current state regulations that may mandate wearing a mask.
Small group training sessions should take place outside in an area where social distancing can be maintained
Participants use their own equipment and avoid touching each other with their hands.  Shared implements (e.g., batons, shots, poles) not allowed	Communal equipment (e.g., hurdles) allowed if athletes can use their own set for a whole practice, disinfect before and after. (See below for PV and HJ)
No activities that would require direct or indirect (e.g., high jump pit, pole vault pit) contact between athletes	HJ or PV could be conducted if an athlete-specific tarp or covering was placed over the pit and only one athlete at a time used the pit, or a tarp / covering could be adequately disinfected between athletes.
Rigorous, frequent cleaning schedule/protocol of equipment with disinfectant before, during, and after training *
Coaching can occur onsite, but coaches and athletes must maintain a minimum 6 foot distance from all participants

Phase 3 continued:

POTENTIAL FUTURE criteria for participation in group training sessions, not currently required (dependent on advancements in medical knowledge of virus, testing availability, resources)	Comments / Rationale
Two negative COVID-19 tests separated by 24 hours.  The tests must be performed and results available prior to beginning group training.   Note: Two tests recommended if specificity/sensitivity rates of tests remain as they are now.  With improvement, could be reduced to one test.	Tests would need to be repeated if the individual had close sustained contact with someone with documented COVID-19 infection or developed signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection
Antibody testing confirming prior infection / immune status specific for COVID-19 AND no current infection.	The test must be performed and results must be available prior to beginning group training

 
 

RECOMMENDATIONS for participation in group training sessions	Comments / Rationale
Consistency with small group participants	If a group of individuals live together, consider assigning them to the same small group for training.  Do not mix groups within a workout or on different days.
All participants self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 twice daily (Appendix 2).	If any signs of symptoms of infection are present, the participant should not attend the practice, should notify coaches and staff, and should contact their healthcare provider
Athletes record symptoms (including temperature) on a paper or electronic log that is monitored by coaches or staff
Upon arrival to train, coaches or staff ask each athlete if they are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and take their temperature	If the athlete has any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they should be sent home and instructed to contact their healthcare provider

 
*Cleaning of living spaces and training facilities should follow the CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.  Frequently touched areas (e.g., door handles, light switches) should be cleaned multiple times daily.  Work-out equipment should be cleaned with anti-septic cleansers prior to use, between use by different athletes, and after use.  At home, fresh food should be washed carefully before eating.  Wash hands prior to cleaning and/or eating food.  Dishes should be washed at high temperatures, preferably in a dishwasher. 
   

REQUIRED criteria for participation in group training sessions (includes athletes, coaches, and staff)	Comments / Rationale
No signs or symptoms of COVID-19 (see Appendix 2) in the past 7 days	If a person has had a case of documented COVID-19 infection, they need a note from their doctor indicating that they are cleared for participation.
No close sustained contact with anyone who is sick within 14 days of beginning group training	This requirement reduces the risk of introducing COVID-19 into the training group by someone who may have COVID-19 but isn’t sick yet
Infection prevention measures should be followed during practice and when in public (Appendix 1)	Follow CDC guidance or current state regulations that may mandate wearing a mask.
Coaching can occur onsite, but coaches and athletes must maintain a minimum 6 foot distance from all participants
Rigorous, frequent cleaning schedule/protocol of equipment with disinfectant before, during, and after training *

 

POTENTIAL FUTURE criteria for participation in group training sessions, not currently required (dependent on advancements in medical knowledge of virus, testing availability, resources)	Comments / Rationale
Two negative COVID-19 tests separated by 24 hours.  The tests must be performed and results available prior to beginning group training.   Note: Two tests recommended if specificity/sensitivity rates of tests remain as they are now.  With improvement, could be reduced to one test.	Tests would need to be repeated if the individual had close sustained contact with someone with documented COVID-19 infection or developed signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection
Antibody testing confirming prior infection / immune status specific for COVID-19 AND no current infection.	The test must be performed, and results must be available prior to beginning group training

 

 
Phase 4 continued:

 

RECOMMENDATIONS for participation in group training sessions	Comments / Rationale
All participants self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 twice daily (Appendix 2).	If any signs of symptoms of infection are present, the participant should not attend the practice, should notify coaches and staff, and should contact their healthcare provider
Athletes record symptoms (including temperature) on a paper or electronic log that is monitored by coaches or staff
Upon arrival to train, coaches or staff ask each athlete if they are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and take their temperature	If the athlete has any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they should be sent home and instructed to contact their healthcare provider

 
Normal sized group training sessions are allowed outside and/or inside using typical training facilities.

Participants may use each other’s equipment, but equipment should be cleaned between use if possible.

Activities with direct contact or indirect contact (e.g., high jump pit, pole vault pit) -- should strongly consider alternatives to mitigate risk (e.g. athlete specific tarp on pits, disinfecting tarp between attempts by different athletes).

In-person coaching can occur onsite with no restrictions.
 
*Cleaning of living spaces and training facilities should follow the CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.  Frequently touched areas (e.g., door handles, light switches) should be cleaned multiple times daily.  Work-out equipment should be cleaned with anti-septic cleansers prior to use, between use by different athletes, and after use.  At home, fresh food should be washed carefully before eating.  Wash hands prior to cleaning and/or eating food.  Dishes should be washed at high temperatures, preferably in a dishwasher. 

 
Incorporate COVID-19 vaccination into the standard vaccinations of athletes, coaches, and staff.

Continue to educate athletes, coaches and staff on the signs and symptoms of infection. If they develop signs and symptoms of infection, they should not attend practice, should notify their coaches and/or staff, and contact their healthcare provider.

Continue standard infection prevention measures (e.g., frequent handwashing, avoid touching your face, cover your mouth when coughing, etc.).

Continue rigorous, frequent cleaning schedule/protocol of equipment with disinfectant before, during, and after training. *
 
*Cleaning of living spaces and training facilities should follow the CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.  Frequently touched areas (e.g., door handles, light switches) should be cleaned multiple times daily.  Work-out equipment should be cleaned with anti-septic cleansers prior to use, between use by different athletes, and after use.  At home, fresh food should be washed carefully before eating.  Wash hands prior to cleaning and/or eating food.  Dishes should be washed at high temperatures, preferably in a dishwasher. 

 
Appendix 1
CDC Infection Prevention Measures

 
Appendix 2
COVID-19 Symptoms