Setting Expectations for Spring Season

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As we start the new year, I know everyone is starting to turn their attention to the Spring season. At the SoccerPlex we have been getting a steady number of questions about what will happen this year as it relates to COVID. Unfortunately, no one really has an answer for that question. That being said I think it is important for all of the clubs to have realistic outlooks for the Spring season. While I am no better at seeing the future than anyone else below are important factors and information, I have been able to obtain through research, contact with public health and elected officials, parks and recreation departments, and other sources. While I think this is as accurate as it can be right now, we must all recognize that everything can change at any minute, for better or worse.

• We must all plan for and assume that we will have some level of restrictions through the full Spring season and into the summer.
• Current case numbers and hospitalizations are at an all-time high. Until there is a significant drop government are unlikely to loosen restrictions.
• We must be prepared for additional restrictions, such as mask requirements during games. 

                           - These have been implemented in other jurisdictions. 

                           - The American Academy of Pediatrics also reversed their previous advice and now                      

                             state that masks can and should be worn during youth sports activities, with few 

                             and rare exceptions.

• There is a significant chance that if/when sports are allowed to resume there will be restrictions on spectators, including the possibility of no spectators. While it is completely understandable that parents want to watch their children play, we must remember that we have been fitting to get the kids back on the field for the physical and mental health benefits of sports. If that means parents need to stay in their cars, than parents need to stay in their cars!
• There is a pending court case in Anne Arundel County MD regarding restrictions on sports. 

                          - The lawsuit is seeking an injunction to stop restrictions on sports. 

                          - The Judge in the case did NOT grant a temporary injunction. 

                          - While he still could issue an injunction after a full hearing, it does not look likely 

                            based on previously ruling in a similar lawsuit brought by restaurants under a  

                            similar argument. 

• · The vaccine distribution is moving slower than anticipated and we will likely not have significant community vaccination (70% of the population) until summertime.

                          - The faster we as a country get people vaccinated, the faster we can return to 

                             normal. 

                          - Please encourage people to do their research and get the vaccine when they are 

                            eligible. 

• · The two currently approved vaccines are only available for people over the age of 16 (Pfizer) or 18 years old and over (Moderna). The vaccine will likely not be approved for children under those ages until late 2021. 
• · We should expect restrictions to continue for youth sports until the vaccine is approved for the youngest age group or until there is significant drop in caseloads, hospitalizations, and deaths across the entire age range.

Important Things to Remember to Get Us Back to Normal

• Wear Your Mask
• If you don’t feel well, stay home.
• Get the vaccine when your time comes in the eligibility list.
• Follow State and County rules when it comes to sports, don’t give them a reason to shut us down.
• Respect and follow the rules of the State, County, and facility that you are visiting, even if they are more restrictive than your home location. If you are unwilling or unable to abide by the rules of your destination you are supposed to go to, please do not travel there. Failure to comply with those rules may cause backlash for that team/venue/locality that may result in more strict guidelines.

Updated March 31, 2020

Maryland issued a Stay-At Home order requiring all non-essential businesses to close to the public and nonessential employees to stay home and work remotely if possible.  To read the most current Executive Order Click Here. 

Read all Previous Maryland Executive Orders

View all Governor Hogan Press Conferences

Updated March 31, 2020

The Mayor’s Order specifies that residents may only leave their residences to:

• engage in essential activities, including obtaining medical care that cannot be provided through telehealth and obtaining food and essential household goods;
• perform or access essential governmental functions;
• work at essential businesses;
• engage in essential travel; or
• engage in allowable recreational activities, as defined by the Mayor’s Order.

Any individual who willfully violates the stay-at-home order may be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

The stay-at-home order goes into effect on April 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.

Read the full Executive Order

View Washington DCs Corona Virus Support Page