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In recently issued guidance, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley breaks sports up into two categories: high-risk and low-risk.
“The policy prohibits competitions in higher-risk and contact sports,” he explained, “such as tackle football, soccer, rugby and indoor basketball. It allows those teams to conduct practices, but with safety precautions.”
Farley wants the focus of those youth practices to be on skill development, not contact.
The low-risk sports, like cross country and baseball, will be allowed to play under this new guidance.
“It also allows games in parks for things like three-on-three basketball outdoors, or flag football — with no spectators or no tournaments,” he said.
There are exceptions to these rules for professional or college teams.
Under Delaware’s new guidance, the Division of Public Health (DPH) breaks sports up into three categories: low-risk, middle-risk, and high-risk. Middle-risk sports are those like basketball, where contact isn’t the main focus, but it happens.
High-risk sports are allowed under certain circumstances.
“These are activities where we’re going to be wearing face coverings or we’re going to have to work with organizers and facilities for rule modifications to limit physical contact,” said DPH Health Systems Protection Chief Jamie Mack.
Team leaders and facilities will need to come to the DPH with rule modifications to make this work — DPH won’t be making any suggestions.
“These sports, up until this point, had not been allowed, so this new guidance provides a little flexibility in that some of these sports, if we can work with the organizers and facilities to approve plans, we’re going to allow them to resume activities,” added Mack.
Off the field, Mack said coaches, staff and fans all have to spread out and wear a mask. Referees have to wear one at all times too, meaning they can’t blow on whistles during games.
He said mask-wearing and social distancing must continue after the game, so coaches can’t bring their team together for a huddle, and gear must be spread out when the players pick it up.
Pa. changes course
Across Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf has backed off of his ban on all spectators at high school sports, but there is still a limit.
Outdoor sports are limited to 250 people total, while indoor sports are limited to 25 people or 50% capacity — whichever is less.
The updated guidance says “all individuals present count toward limitations,” meaning everyone counts toward the 250-person total — athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, band members, trainers.
Everyone at the events is required to wear a face mask unless they are outside and can stay 6 feet away from one another.
Athletes don’t have to wear masks when they’re playing, but they do have to wear them when they’re on the sidelines or dugout.
Previous guidance limited attendance to athletes, coaches, officials and staff only.
The governor’s original guidance still recommends youth sports, including K-12, be postponed until Jan. 1.
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