COVID-19 Updates & Guidelines

Updated September 19, 2022.

Although soccer activities are now free from most COVID restrictions, Newton Girls Soccer remains committed to keeping our community safe. Our expectation is that every family, player, coach, referee, and volunteer follow current federal, state, and local COVID-19 guidelines. For the safety of our community, anyone who cannot follow these rules will be asked not to participate. Guidelines are reviewed and updated as necessary. Check this page frequently for the current status of soccer activities.

NGS Guidelines

All NGS participants — including players, coaches, referees, volunteers, guardians, spectators, and other officials — must take precautions to minimize the risk of transmitting COVID-19 among members of the soccer community. NGS protocols align with MA Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) rules and the Newton Public School (NPS) Health and Safety Plan. Guidance comes from local, state and federal agencies, including Newton Health and Human Services, the MA Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Based on current guidelines, we are enforcing the following safety measures and protocols.

Proof of Vaccination

  • NGS does not require proof of vaccination in order to play.
  • We encourage all participants to stay up to date on COVID vaccinations.

Notification of COVID Cases

  • Participants should report a COVID case using the link provided above.
  • NGS will no longer be tracing contacts or notifying individuals of possible exposure to the virus. An alert will only be sent out in the event of a cluster of infections within a team or a specific event.

Health Assessment

  • Participants must be in good health to participate in any NGS activity. Out of courtesy to their teammates, players and coaches showing signs of illness should not participate in NGS activities until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
  • Participants are asked to self-assess their health before every NGS activity.

Isolation & Return to Play after Testing Positive for COVID-19

  • Notify NGS if a participant tests positive for COVID-19.
  • Participants who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days. Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the day positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.
  • Participants who test positive for COVID-19 may return to soccer on day 6, if they
    • are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving, and
    • have been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours.
  • Participants returning from COVID infection on days 6-10, must wear a face covering unless they
    • are outside,
    • are eating or drinking, or
    • tested negative days 6-10.
  • Repeat viral testing is not required to return to soccer.
  • We recommend that all athletes consult with their physician prior to resuming physical activity following a COVID infection. 

Face Coverings

  • Masks are optional for all activities.
  • Personal choice and responsibility around masking is emphasized and respected. Parents may set more restrictive face covering guidelines for their child, if they so choose. The NGS community will support and respect all individuals who choose to wear masks or not.
  • When wearing a mask during soccer activities, players may only wear masks that loop over the ears. Masks or face coverings that wrap around the head or head and neck (i.e., gaiter) will be considered dangerous equipment.

Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk

Resources