Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant, Marin County public health officials are taking steps to loosen some rules around youth sports.
Limited spectators will be allowed back at indoor youth sports in Marin, but they must be fully vaccinated and boosted, masked and a parent or guardian of the children participating. Marin Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Lisa Santora said the 50-person capacity at indoor events aligns with the county rules on gatherings.
"The schools are responsible for the vaccine verifications, and for the adherence for the face-covering order," Santora told KCBS Radio. "And at this time other spectators are prohibited until further notice."
Games will be canceled when a team registers four or more positive tests in a two-week period, and those teams will not play games for at least a week.
"This still allows individual conditioning and skill-building during this period, but everyone has to comply with their individual isolation and quarantine quarter," Santora said.
Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer, said it's a delicate dance balancing health with the social benefits of youth sports, especially those played indoors.
"There is a really tricky balance to strike, and we think that finding this middle path right now is the best way and we will continue to monitor this," he explained
Dr. Willis said the goal is to put the least restrictive measures in place given the current virus data. Officials said the rules can change quickly, and they will be reassessing the recommendations again in two weeks.
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