MUHSD Updated Guidelines for Athletics
Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health released updates to their “Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports” guidelines which go into effect Friday, February 26, 2021.
As part of the latest guidelines, the target threshold for allowing all outdoor sports is a COVID case rate of 14 per 100,000.
General Guidance
Face Coverings
Mandatory for all during workouts, practices and matches.
Social Distancing
Maintain 6 feet of distance at all times, including when on sidelines.
Hygiene and Sanitation
When equipment is shared during an activity, participants wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before play, during breaks, at half time and after the conclusion of the activity. Objects or equipment can be touched by multiple players during practice and play if the above hand hygiene practices are followed.
Limit mixing of teams and absolutely no sharing of drink bottles.
Travel Considerations
Face coverings for all, social distancing, windows down if possible
Observers
Limited to immediate household members. Observers MUST wear face coverings and be socially distant from other households
Sports
Outdoor Low-Contact Sports (May Start Immediately)
- Cross-Country
- Golf
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Track
Outdoor Moderate-Contact Sports (*Informed Consent Required)
- Baseball
- Softball
May be played in the purple tier with a COVID case rate equal to or less than 14 per 100,000.
Outdoor High-Contact Sports (*Informed Consent Required)
- Football
- Soccer
- Water Polo
May be played in the purple or red tiers with a COVID case rate equal to or less than 14 per 100,000.
Testing
Sports: Football and Water Polo (ONLY)
Players and coaches must be tested weekly while the COVID case rate is within the 14-7 per 100,000 range.
Once below 7 per 100,000, testing is no longer a requirement.
COVID-19 Protocols
- No one with symptoms of COVID-19 or who is in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19 is permitted to attend practices or competitions
- Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should consult their physician for testing and notify their coach, athletic trainer and/or school administrator of their symptoms and test results.
- Youths recovering from COVID-19 will have different paths to return to sports based on the severity of their illness.
*The status of return-to-competition is subject to change at any time given the level of COVID-19 transmission in California.