CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced Monday that high school sports activities will be allowed to resume on a limited basis beginning June 15th. This will end a 94-day dead period caused by the coronavirus.
The current dead period will be lifted provided each Local Education Agency (LEA) gives its permission. The local Superintendents and Boards of Education will give the final permission for activities to resume in athletic facilities and venues.
Recommendations from the NCHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and directives from the NC Department of Health and Human Services have been used to help NCHSAA staff guide the gradual reopening of high school athletic activities.
The plan to reopen sports activities will be implemented in a phased approach. Phase One contains a set of general requirements that apply across all sports, with specific requirements for each sport. Guidance for Phases Two and Three will be distributed in the coming weeks.
To participate in workouts, students will need the following documents:
Physical Examination Form – dated on or after March 1, 2019
Initial Screening Questions- must be signed prior to beginning summer workout
Daily Monitoring Form – daily temperature and symptom check
The annual dead period for the Fourth of July (June 29-July 5) will remain in place. Schools and coaches are reminded that participation in summer activities must not be required and cannot be a prerequisite for ‘making’ a team.
When activities resume restrictions will be in place to prevent physical contact and shared equipment. Schools will need to provide hand sanitizer and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
Workouts will be limited to 90 minutes, and no more than 25 people outside and 10 people inside can attend – that includes coaches, managers, trainers, etc. There must be a 6-foot distance between people at all times.
State, local or district guidelines for face coverings must be followed. They are encouraged for coaches and athletes who are not engaged in physical activity. Face coverings cannot be shared. Artificial noisemakers can be used instead of whistles.
There will be no sharing of water bottles or food. One person will be designated to refill water bottles. No team travel will be permitted.
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