With the rapidly-evolving crisis regarding Covid-19, a.k.a. Coronavirus, Iowa Soccer has been closely monitoring the situation. Our organization is prioritizing health and safety of members, as well as of those in our community, as we make decisions about upcoming spring soccer activity. We have committed to do our part to help "flatten the curve" and slow the spread of a virus that is without a vaccine and that is 10 times deadlier than the flu.
On March 10, US Youth Soccer recommended that all matches requiring significant car travel and/or air travel be suspended. Iowa Soccer is making similar recommendations to members: that all matches which require air travel or overnight lodging be suspended. As of March 12, 2020, we are not mandating clubs follow these guidelines. However, within our programming, we are enforcing that guideline, having cancelled upcoming Iowa ODP team trips to Spain and Las Vegas.
As we get closer to spring 2020 Iowa Soccer League matches, the Academy Festival, the Rec Cup, and the Iowa Soccer Championship Series, we will continue to assess and make decisions that prioritize health and safety of members and take into consideration being part of a larger community effort to slow the spread of the virus.
It is too early to make any concrete decisions, but we will be building contingency plans in case we need to implement them. In the meantime, we strongly encourage each club to develop some contingency plans and to reconsider any travel plans to stay in line with US Youth Soccer and Iowa Soccer recommendations.
While the threat may not seem imminent, the key is to do what we can to prevent the spread of this virus. As an individual, take basic precautions such as washing your hands frequently. We are hopeful that we have to take no further actions, but the reality is we need to be proactive and prepared and be part of something larger than the game. We will keep you updated and post all updates on social media and our website as the environment changes.