Comox Valley Strikers Volleyball Club

Communicable Disease Plan

Approved by the CVVC Board President, Phebe May: October 4, 2021

Please note: this document is subject to change following provincial health and safety requirements.

A communicable disease is an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxic product that can be transmitted in a workplace from person to person. Examples of communicable diseases that may circulate in a workplace include COVID-19, norovirus, and seasonal influenza.

Communicable disease prevention focuses on basic risk reduction principles to reduce the risk of workplace transmission of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. The fundamental components of communicable disease prevention include both ongoing measures to always maintain and additional measures to be implemented as advised by Public Health.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club is committed to creating a safe working environment for volunteers and athletes that reduces the risk of transmitting communicable diseases.

STEP 1: Understand the risk

Preventing communicable disease involves taking ongoing measures to reduce the risk for transmission.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club (CVVC) COVID Safety contact, Chelsea Prangnell will receive and monitor Volleyball BC updates and will relay any updated information to coaches and team managers via email. Team Managers will ensure updated information is communicated to their teams.

The Communicable Disease Plan will be available on the club website along with any updated information.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club will ensure the Communicable Disease Plan is communicated to all coaches, athletes, team mangers and volunteers.

STEP 2: Implement measures, practices, and policies to reduce the risk

Practices will be cancelled if they cannot be run by a coach, assistance coach or team manger who is in good health.  Athletes are not permitted to train or play if they have any symptoms.

The following is from Volleyball BC ‘A Phased Return to Volleyball Plan’ as of July 5, 2021:

Ø  Health Screening

It is not mandatory for volleyball organisations to screen participants/coaches/officials/volunteers with a symptom checklist before an activity. However, it is recommended that volleyball organisations communicate an illness policy to participants as part of their Communicable Disease Plan. This might include:

·         Not attending an activity if you are sick.

·         Completing the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool in advance of attending an activity and following any steps that it recommends.

·         Complying with all public health direction if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have travelled outside of Canada.

Ø  Emergency Planning and Contact Tracing

It is no longer mandatory to maintain full contact information for all coaches, referees, and staff/volunteers participating in each session of an activity. However, it is recommended that volleyball organisations continue to keep this information in the event of any outbreaks. Follow all recommended reporting and contact tracing protocols from your regional health authority if you become aware of any probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19 during your activities.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club will communicate an illness policy to participants as part of the Communicable Disease Plan.

---

All gymnasium facilities have washrooms for handwashing. Coaches first aid kits will include hand sanitizer. Athletes and coaches will be asked to wash hands before entering the gym.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club will promote hand hygiene by requesting coaches and athletes to wash hands, or if necessary use hand sanitizer, before entering the gym.

---

Gymnasium, washrooms and all facilities used for training and play are maintained by school custodians.

Coaches and athletes will be responsible for using alcohol wipes to clean balls after practice.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club will maintain a clean environment through routine cleaning processes and wiping down of balls after each play or practice.  

---

Weather permitting, gymnasium doors can be open to provide additional air flow.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club will ensure building ventilation is properly maintained and functioning as designed, including having open doors for fresh air circulation. 

STEP 3: Communicate measures, practices, and policies

The Communicable Disease plan will be circulated to all coaches, team mangers and athletes so everyone is actively participating in communicable disease prevention.

In addition to the measures we are taking as a club, the facilities we use have signage that inform users of the most current safety measures.

STEP 4: Monitor and update the plan as necessary

Athletes and coaches can communicate any health and safety concerns to their team manager. Team Managers can then communicate to Chelsea Prangnell, CVVC COVID Safety Contact.

Comox Valley Volleyball Club is prepared to implement additional prevention measures as required by Volleyball BC or the provincial health officer to deal with communicable diseases in our club, should those be necessary.