Please read the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding Return to Activities and the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. How was this protocol developed and who was consulted?
Special Olympics Tennessee put together a Return to Activities (RTA) committee consisting of local parents, coaches, Area Directors, doctors, athletes, board members and staff.
This committee then took guidance from Special Olympics International (based on feedback from the World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control, multiple governments, sports governing bodies and other organizations) and local contacts to solidify a plan that was appropriate for use at the state and local level in Tennessee.
Per Special Olympics International policy, the RTA plan was approved by the SOTN Board of Directors in December 2020.
As guidances change and more information about COVID-19 is discovered, SOTN will continue to follow guidance and policies implemented by Special Olympics.
2. When will the state move to the next phase of the reopening plan?
The updated RTA plan uses number of active COVID cases in the community/state and percentage of vaccinated participants as benchmarks to move into different color zones. Please refer to the plan for specific statistical benchmarks.
3. What precautions will be taken at trainings and competitions once athletes return to in-person activities?
Precautions include extra sanitation of venues and equipment, temperature screenings, masks, no shared equipment, sign-ins for contact tracing, social distancing, and more.
4. What options are available for athletes who are not comfortable returning to in-person activities at this time?
Athletes and families who are not currently ready to return to in-person activities may continue to participate virtually while staying safe-at-home.
Sign up here for the fall SONA Move Challenge (beginning September 13, 2021) - athletes and Unified partners track their move minutes from home to compete against teams from other states!
5. Does this apply to my Local Area Program or to State Competitions?
The guidance applies to both local area program trainings and events, and state competitions and events. Local area programs may choose to enforce stricter policies (i.e. limiting participant numbers fully or requiring practices to take place outdoors), but may not loosen policies before the state as a whole moves zones.
6. I'm a teacher. Does this guidance apply to my class while we are at school, during school hours?
No. School-based activities led by schools are considered separate from this framework and should comply with guidance from their school/district.
7. I have additional questions.
Please contact the SOTN COVID-19 Point of Contact, Joanne Drumright, [email protected].