January 6, 2021
While many communities nationwide are back under stay-at-home orders due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in recent months, many areas are still open, with children attending school and sports activities in full swing.
Although it is still advisable to refrain from large groups and to maintain safety measures like social distancing and mask-wearing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidance on safely participating in sports activities while protecting yourself from the spread of COVID-19.
It is also highly advisable to choose outdoor settings whenever possible, particularly for high-intensity, closer-contact sports. If possible, try to play the sporting activity on a larger field or area to enable greater distancing. The CDC also recommends that travel be limited to areas within the local community.
Participants should prepare for the sporting event by bringing extra protective equipment, like gloves, masks and hand sanitizer. It is also critical that players follow all safety protocols off the field. If they aren’t following the guidelines and are putting themselves at risk of catching COVID-19, then they are putting their teammates at equal risk.