The goal of the updated guidance is to allow young people to play competitive sports, while taking the proper public health precautions. The new Board of Health regulation removes the “risk classifications” for different sports while maintaining public health measures.
Instead of evaluating different sports by risk category, all organized sports played indoors or outdoors must obtain a COVID-19 Protocol Plan approved by the County health officer or a designee. Each plan must include:
- A contact tracing component with an attendance tracking sheet that must be completed for all activities.
- A requirement that face coverings are worn as provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- A commitment to maintain social distancing of at least six feet between all participants to the extent possible.
- A requirement for the use of a student attestation form or a COVID-19 athlete or coach monitoring form at all activities.
The health officer or the officer’s designee may approve a COVID Protocol Plan that includes more than 50 spectators for an event if the officer finds that the plan provides for reasonable safety for all participants.
However, the Council on Friday, March 26, will consider updates to the adopted regulation. Those updates would include:
The updated regulation would allow two spectators per participating athlete at a sports event up to a maximum of 50 spectators if:
- The site has a barrier to delineate the area for spectators from the area for the participating athletes and coaches.
- The area for the spectators is large enough to provide for social distancing between all spectators from different households.
- All spectators wear face coverings and practice social distancing of at least six feet.
The new Board of Health regulation can be viewed here.
