2021-2022 Capitals COVID Protocols

Capitals COVID Protocols

COVID rates in our association continue to rise.  Unlike last season, Minnesota Hockey does not mandate that the Capitals follow a specific course of action when players test positive for COVID, or are exposed to COVID.  

The Capitals value the health and well being of our players and their families.  We also recognize that our teams consist of a wide variety of age groups, risk tolerances, and vaccination status. When a player on a team tests positive for COVID, here are the steps we recommend:

  1. Determine when the infected player developed symptoms for COVID, or, if the player was asymptomatic, the date of the player’s positive test.  COVID positive players must sit out from practices and games for 10 days starting from the date of symptom onset, or in asymptomatic cases, the date of their COVID positive test.  Players can return to hockey following the 10-day period if their symptoms have improved and they have been without a fever for the previous 24 hours.
  2. Determine if the COVID positive player was with his or her team during the 48 hours preceding symptom onset or the date of the positive test.  The infectious period for COVID-19 is the 48 hours prior to symptom onset or, in asymptomatic cases, the positive test.
  3. If the player attended practices or games during their infectious period (the 48 hours preceding symptom onset or a positive test), determine which players spent 15 cumulative minutes within 6 feet of the infected player over a 24 period.  Players who spent 15 cumulative minutes within 6 feet of the infected player over a 24 period are considered “close contacts,” and may have to quarantine.  Factors to consider in the close contact analysis include the size of the space in which the exposure occurred (locker room v. indoor rink), the amount of air circulating in that space (locker room = little air circulation; ice rink = decent air circulation).  A person is still considered a “close contact” even if one or both people wore a mask when they were together, according to the CDC.
  4. MDH recommends that players who are “close contacts” quarantine.  Refer to the Quarantine Guidance section, and “Quarantine Guidance for COVID-19,” both below.   
  5. To inform parents’ decision, coaches or managers will inform parents that (1) a member of the team tested positive for COVID; and (2) their player may have been exposed to someone infected with COVID 19, and should consider quarantining and getting tested.  In cases of exposure, MDH recommends testing immediately, and 5-7 days after the exposure.


Quarantine Guidance

  1. Players who are fully vaccinated at the time of exposure, and who are showing no symptoms, do not need to quarantine.  These players can return to hockey immediately following a negative COVID test, but should wear a mask at all times and socially distance for the following week.
  2. Players who are not fully vaccinated at the time of exposure should quarantine for 14 days from the date of last exposure.  However:
  3. This quarantine period can be reduced to 10 days from exposure if the person does not have any COVID symptoms and does not live with someone who has COVID.  
  4. This quarantine period can be reduced to 7 days from exposure if the person has a negative PCR test at least 5 days after exposure.


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