State releases new COVID-19 safety guidelines for youth sports

BOSTON — The state has release new COVID-19 safety guidelines for youth sports one day before a two-week ban on youth hockey is expected to elapse.

As cases of the novel coronavirus continue to climb throughout the commonwealth, Governor Charlie Baker announced on Monday new safety measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus - among them a statewide mask mandate, a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and stricter guidelines for restaurants and social gatherings.

For youth sports, it won’t be any different - new protocols will require players to have their masks on at all times and will not allow for any tournaments to be held. Masks will be mandatory for all activities and sports except:

• During swimming, water polo, water aerobics or other sports where individuals are in the water; or • For individuals with a documented medical condition or disability that makes them unable to wear a face covering.

A facial covering means a face mask or cloth facial covering that completely covers the nose and mouth.

All spectators and chaperones, coaches, staff, referees, umpires, and other officials are required to wear a mask at all times as well.

Sports and recreational activities will be categorized as “lower risk,” “moderate risk,” and “higher risk” based on the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

Lower risk sports and recreational activities are characterized by:

• Sports or activities that can be done with social distancing and no physical contact
• Sports or activities that can be done individually

Examples: Tennis, pickleball, swimming, catch, disc golf, golf, individual biking, surfing, horseback riding, individual sailing, fishing, hunting, motor sports, no contact exercise classes, gymnastics, cross country, individual crew, alpine and nordic skiing.

Moderate risk sports and recreational activities are characterized by:

• Sports or activities that involve intermittent close proximity or limited, incidental physical contact between participants

Examples: Baseball, softball, crew, sailing, outdoor track and field, indoor track and field, running clubs, team swimming, volleyball, dance class, fencing, field hockey, girls' lacrosse, soccer

Higher risk sports and recreational activities are characterized by:

• Sports or activities for which there is a requirement or a substantial likelihood of routine close and/or sustained proximity or deliberate physical contact between participants and a high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants

Examples: Football, wrestling, rugby, basketball, lacrosse, ice-hockey, competitive cheer, martial arts, ultimate frisbee, boxing, pair figure skating.

Sports and recreation facilities will also be subject to enhanced cleaning protocols as well as upholding the new safety guidelines.

Organizations, businesses, schools, and government entities that operate the following athletic facilities are subject to this guidance, including, but not limited to:

• Gymnastics Facilities
• Indoor & Outdoor Pools*
• Indoor and Outdoor Athletic Fields, Courts, and Courses
• Indoor & Outdoor Ice Rinks
• Indoor and Outdoor Tracks
• Indoor Gymnasiums
• Martial Arts & Dance Facilities
• Indoor and Outdoor Racquet Courts

For team and group sports, no more than 25 players or participants can be on a single playing surface/area/court at any one time. The number of coaches and staff should also be limited.

In larger playing areas and surfaces, such as athletic fields, tracks or facilities that have multiple courts or playing areas, restrictions allow for more than 25 players, provided they socially distance and group separation can be maintained.

When it comes to social distancing for sports and other physical activities, the recommended guidance of six feet is more than doubled, meaning players have to remain 14 feet apart while sharing a single playing surface, court or field. Spectators, coaches, umpires and other officials will also be subject to social distancing guidelines.

For more information on the new youth sports guidelines, you can visit the state’s website here.

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