ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - New guidance is out for how and when to start youth and high school sports in the St. Louis area.
June 15 is the date targeted for restarting activities, depending on two straight weeks of continued stable or downward trending COVID cases in each region, according to a collaborated news release from local health organizations.
New recommendations include:
- Athletes, coaches, referees/umpires should undergo health screenings prior to starting any activity.
- Games and practices should be scheduled to avoid overlap.
- The use of locker rooms should be avoided. If they are used, proper social distancing should be practiced.
- No spectators should attend any workout or practice.
- No sharing of water bottles, and each bottle should be clearly marked with the player’s name.
- Team huddles should be eliminated.
- No handshakes or fist bumps should take place.
- Coaches and officials should wear masks.
The clinical team of experts recommends a four-phase approach to bringing sports back, pending continued stable or downward trend of COVID cases in the given region. Each phase builds up the amount of interaction players may have with each other.
BJC HealthCare/Washington University Physicians, Mercy and SSM Health/SLU Care collaborated to offer coaches, athletic directors, and parents these recommendations for resuming organized sports and activities.
