Minneapolis Hockey Officials Association is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our officials, players, spectators, and Arena Employees. To ensure we have a safe and healthy experience, MHOA has developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials are responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our association and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our officials. Only through this cooperative effort, can we establish and maintain the safety and health of all persons in our workplaces.

Michael Elam MHOA President, who maintains the overall authority and responsibility for the plan, administers the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.  However, officials are equally responsible for supporting, implementing, complying with and providing recommendations to further improve all aspects of this COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. MHOA Board of Directors have the full support in enforcing the provisions of this plan.

Our officials and players are our most important assets. MHOA is serious about safety, health, and protecting our officials. Official’s involvement is essential in developing and implementing a successful COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
 
Minneapolis Hockey Officials Association’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows the industry guidance developed by the state of Minnesota, available at the Stay Safe Minnesota website (https://staysafe.mn.gov), which is based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for COVID-19, Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) statutes, rules and standards, and Minnesota’s relevant and current executive orders. It addresses:

• ensuring sick Officials stay home and prompt identification and isolation of sick persons;
• social distancing when appropriate;
• Masks in and out of facility;
• Recommend a Neck Gaiter while on ice, use when discussion with coach, player, or off ice official;
• Have Hand Sanitizer in bag
• Abide by Rink Rules and Guidelines

Screening:

Officials have been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The following policies and procedures are being implemented to assess Members’ health status prior to entering the Arena and for families to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms.   Families may also use the CDC Symptom Checker for advice on when to seek medical attention or testing if they felt hey may have the disease. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html 
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported –ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

•Cough
•Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
•Fever
•Chills
•Muscle pain
•Sore throat
•New loss of taste or smell

This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. MHOA has also implemented a policy for informing the Association if the official has been exposed to another official or team with COVID-19 at an event and following MDH and CDC mandates for quarantine for the required amount of time. If a MHOA member was discovered to have been exposed to a person with COVID-19, the proper officials, and NOT a member of MHOA will contact them.  It is imperative for the privacy and health of all members that COVID-related issues be reported to medical professionals and NOT MHOA BOARD.  

If MHOA is made aware of a positive COVID-19 case, they will follow the guidance published in the MDH“COVID-19SPORTS GUIDANCEFOR YOUTH AND ADULTS” dated July 22nd, 2020.  In addition, a policy has been implemented to protect the privacy of MHOA Members’ health status and health information. Should any MHOA Member or known family member be officially diagnosed with COVID-19, MDH is the lead-agency for contact tracing utilizing the MHOA event roster, upon MDH request. In addition, a policy has been implemented to protect the privacy of MHOA Members’ health status and health information. The identity of anyone being officially diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be known to anyone officially within Minneapolis Hockey Officials Association.

Officials stay home and prompt identification and isolation of sick persons:

Officials have been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The following policies and procedures are being implemented to assess workers’ health status prior to entering the workplace and for workers to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms.

MHOA has implemented leave policies that promote officials staying at home when they are sick, when household members are sick, or when required by a health care provider to isolate or quarantine themselves or a member of their household.

MHOA has also implemented a policy for informing officials if they have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 at one of the games and requiring them to quarantine for the required amount of time.
In addition, a policy has been implemented to protect the privacy of official’s health status and health information.

Official Hygiene:

Officials are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water frequently throughout the day.  Once enter rink if water is not available the officials must use hand sanitizer.  All officials are required to wash or sanitize their hands prior to leaving the locker rooms.  Officials are being instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid touching their face, particularly their mouth, nose and eyes, with their hands.  The Board of Directors are expected to monitor how effective the program has been implemented.  All board members and officials are to take an active role and collaborate in carrying out the various aspects of this plan, and update the protections, protocols, and training as necessary.
 
Certified by:
Michael Elam
President
Minneapolis Hockey Officials Association
651-247-5647
Michael.s.elam@gmail.com

Appendix A – Guidance for developing a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan:

General:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):  Coronavirus (COVID-19) – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH):  Coronavirus – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus

State of Minnesota:  COVID-19 response – https://mn.gov/covid19

Businesses:

CDC:  Resources for businesses and employers – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html

CDC:  General business frequently asked questions – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/general-business-faq.html

CDC:  Building/business ventilation – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

MDH:  Businesses and employers:  COVID-19 – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businesses.html

MDH:  Health screening checklist – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facilityhlthscreen.pdf 

MDH:  Materials for businesses and employers – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED):  COVID-19 information and resources – https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI):  Updates related to COVID-19 – www.dli.mn.gov/updates

Federal OSHA – www.osha.gov

Handwashing:

MDH:  Handwashing video translated into multiple languages – www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQuPGVcceg 

Respiratory etiquette:  Cover your cough or sneeze:

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html 

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/etiquette/coughing_sneezing.html

MDH:  www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html 

Social distancing:

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html 

MDH:  www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businesses.html 

Housekeeping:

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html 

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):  www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2 

Employees exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19:

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html 

MDH:  www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/basics.html 

MDH:  www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facilityhlthscreen.pdf 

MDH:  www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/returntowork.pdf 

State of Minnesota:  https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/get-tested/index.jsp   

Training:

CDC:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-small-business.html 

Federal OSHA:  www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf 

MDH:  www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/about.pdf