Prep sports set to return July 6

Monday, June 8, 2020

The Indiana High School Athletic Association Inc. is pleased that the COVID-19 Health and Safety ReEntry Guidance has been provided to Indiana schools on Friday by the Governor’s Office and the Indiana Department of Education.

This guidance also includes a three-phased pathway for the return of education-based athletics which coincide with the previously scheduled first practice date for girls’ golf (July 31) and practice for all other fall sports (August 3). Girls’ golf contests are set to begin August 3 with all other sports contests to begin August 15.

Over the next several weeks, the IHSAA will continue to serve its member schools in providing clarifications and further guidance for the safe return of athletic activities in our state.

Unique requirements for a district/school’s region or county must be followed regardless of the phase defined below. In addition, given the fluid situation of COVID-19, these considerations are subject to change. Read the phases carefully as the considerations are gradually expanded in many areas.

Phase I: July 6-19

• Student-athletes should be limited to 15 hours per week on campus.

• Individual student athletes are limited to 15 total hours of school contact activity per calendar week. (The Sunday Rule will be enforced)

• School contact activity includes conditioning and sport-specific activities.

• No sport may have more than two activity days per calendar week. Each sport must register their activity days in the office of the Athletic Director at least 10 days in advance. Sport-specific activity days may not occur on consecutive calendar days.

• Activity days are limited to three hours per day. (Six hours per calendar week.)

• Conditioning is limited to four days per week. Conditioning sessions may be held multiple times each day, each session limited to two hours. Student athletes may attend only one conditioning session per day.

• ALL SUMMER ACTIVITIES ARE VOLUNTARY

• All State and local guidelines for group limitations must be followed and social distancing is encouraged.

• Any student who prefers to wear a face covering for activities should be allowed, if doing so will not cause a health risk.

• Students, when not engaging in vigorous activity and when practical, should wear face coverings.

• Non-students, including coaches, medical-related staff, directors, security staff, supervisors, etc. should wear face coverings at all times unless under rigorous activity or poses a health risk.

• Only essential student athletes, student participants, coaches, medical staff, related supervisors, directors, and security should be in attendance.

• Consideration should be given to vulnerable individuals and it is encouraged for those individuals to seek medical guidance regarding his/her individual level of participation.

• An alternate command structure for coaching staff should be established in case of illness.

• Prior to participation, all first-time student athletes are required to have an IHSAA pre-participation physical for the upcoming school year. Returning student athletes are not required to obtain a new IHSAA pre-participation physical, but should provide a 2020-21 IHSAA Health History Update Questionnaire and Consent & Release Certificate prior to participation.

• All students and staff should be trained and screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to participating in workouts, rehearsals, or practices.

• Any person with COVID-19-related symptoms should not be allowed to take part in workouts, rehearsals, or practices and should contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate healthcare professional.

• Any person with a positive COVID-19 test shall trigger the established predetermined thresholds for mitigation strategies by following ISDH’s recommendation to work with your local health department in following the CDC guidance which can be found here. Reference page 3, “When a confirmed case has entered a school, regardless of community transmission.”

• Coaches must track COVID-19 impacted attendance and report to district/school administration.

• Follow specific return to school protocol in reference to participation for student athletes or staff members who no longer test positive and/or no longer display symptoms of COVID-19.

• Districts/schools are encouraged to post signs displaying symptoms to educate students.

• Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm water and soap before touching any surfaces or participating. If this is not possible, hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place to place.

• Locker rooms should not be utilized. Students should report to their activity in proper gear and immediately return home to shower at the conclusion. Restrooms should remain available for student athletes and athletic staff, however social distancing is encouraged.

• Gathering sizes should be decreased as much as possible to reduce risk. Workouts should be conducted in defined, smaller groups of students with the same students always together. Reduce gathering size by half capacity in large areas (weight room, band rooms, wrestling rooms, etc.).

• The goal of social distancing is defined by the CDC. If it is not possible to follow these guidelines indoors or outdoors, then create as much distance as possible. It is recommended that participants and coaches wear face coverings when distancing is limited and the individual is not participating in rigorous activity. For sidelines, benches, or other holding areas, consider establishing protocol as a guide for students and coaches. The goal and expectation is no contact.

• Consider scheduling adjustments to reduce the number of events, duration, and/or participants present.

• Cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all facilities and 19 equipment to mitigate any communicable diseases. Review the plan and supply inventory to thoroughly clean and disinfect prior to and after usage following CDC, EPA, and OSHA guidelines. The plan should be clear on who cleans and appropriate training and PPE is provided for such.

• School activities using off-site, non-school owned facilities and equipment for related activities should work with the off-site facility provider to ensure the associated and relevant safety measures are in place. If transporting to-and-from workouts, rehearsals, or practices, transportation safety measures and cleaning regarding team or group transportation must be followed.

• Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times to minimize transmission.

• No sharing of clothing, shoes, towels, or water bottles.

• Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available at all times.

• If equipment must be shared, including sports balls, weight room facilities, non-wind instruments, etc., this equipment should be cleaned prior to use and immediately following usage. Responsibility for cleaning should be clear and appropriate training and PPE should be provided.

• Equipment such as weight benches, athletic pads, etc. having holes with exposed foam should be covered or discarded.

• Students must be expected to shower at home and wash workout clothing immediately upon returning to their home. If a student does not have a laundered uniform, he/she may not be allowed to participate in practice or competition.

• If schools launder student gear or uniforms, PPE must be available for the person in charge of laundering.

• Free weight exercises requiring a spotter cannot be conducted. Safety measures in all forms must be strictly enforced in the weight room.

• For contact sports, no contact is allowed.

• Shared hydration stations (water trough, water fountains, water hose, etc.) should not be utilized except for filling individual, labeled water bottles.

• No formal competition is allowed.

• Pool usage is acceptable. Schools should take necessary steps to promote health and safety both in the water and out by social distancing and using good hygiene.

• State and local guidelines that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate should be followed.

Phase II: July 20-Aug. 14

• All state and local guidelines for group limitations must be followed and social distancing is encouraged.

• Any student who prefers to wear a face covering for activities should be allowed, if doing so will not cause a health risk.

• Students, when not engaging in vigorous activity and when practical, should wear face coverings.

• Non-students, including coaches, medical-related staff, directors, security staff, supervisors, etc. should wear face coverings at all times unless under rigorous activity or poses a health risk.

• Only essential student athletes, student participants, coaches, medical staff, related supervisors, directors, and security should be in attendance.

• Consideration should be given to vulnerable individuals and it is encouraged for those individuals to seek medical guidance regarding his/her individual level of participation.

• An alternate command structure for coaching staff should be established in case of illness.

• Prior to participation, all first-time student athletes are required to have an IHSAA pre-participation physical for the upcoming school year. Returning student athletes are not required to obtain a new IHSAA pre-participation physical, but should provide a 2020-21 IHSAA Health History Update Questionnaire and Consent & Release Certificate prior to participation.

• All students and staff should be trained and screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to participating in workouts, rehearsals, or practices.

• Any person with COVID-19-related symptoms should not be allowed to take part in workouts, rehearsals, or practices and should contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate healthcare professional.

• Any person with a positive COVID-19 test shall trigger the established predetermined thresholds for mitigation strategies by following ISDH’s recommendation to work with your local health department. Reference page 3, “When a confirmed case has entered a school, regardless of community transmission.”

• Coaches must track COVID-19 impacted attendance and report to district/school administration.

• Follow specific return to school protocol in reference to participation for student athletes or staff members who no longer test positive and/or no longer display symptoms of COVID-19.

• Districts/schools are encouraged to post signs displaying symptoms to educate students.

• Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm water and soap before touching any surfaces or participating. If this is not possible, hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place to place.

• If locker rooms or meeting rooms are used, 50 percent capacity is recommended.

• Gathering sizes should be decreased as much as possible to reduce risk. Workouts should be conducted in defined, smaller groups of students with the same students always together. Reduce gathering size by half capacity in large areas (weight room, band rooms, wrestling rooms, etc.).

• The goal of social distancing is defined by the CDC. If it is not possible to follow these 21 guidelines indoors or outdoors, then create as much distance as possible. It is recommended that participants and coaches wear face coverings when distancing is limited and the individual is not participating in rigorous activity. For sidelines, benches, or other holding areas, consider establishing protocol as a guide for students and coaches.

• Consider scheduling adjustments to reduce the number of events, duration, and/or participants present.

• Contact is allowed as defined by Indiana High School Athletic Association.

• Cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all facilities and equipment to mitigate any communicable diseases. Review the plan and supply inventory to thoroughly clean and disinfect prior to and after usage following CDC, EPA, and OSHA guidelines. The plan should be clear on who cleans and appropriate training and PPE is provided for such.

• School activities using off-site, non-school owned facilities and equipment for related activities should work with the off-site facility provider to ensure the associated and relevant safety measures are in place. If transporting to-and-from workouts, rehearsals, or practices, transportation safety measures and cleaning regarding team or group transportation must be followed.

• Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times to minimize transmission.

• No sharing of clothing, shoes, towels, or water bottles.

• Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available at all times.

• If equipment must be shared, including sports balls, weight room facilities, non-wind instruments, etc., should be cleaned prior to use and immediately following usage. Responsibility for cleaning should be clear and appropriate training and PPE should be provided.

• Any equipment such as weight benches, athletic pads, etc. having holes with exposed foam should be covered or discarded.

• Students must be expected to shower at school or at home and wash workout clothing immediately upon returning to their home. If a student does not have a laundered uniform, he/she may not be allowed to participate in practice or competition.

• If schools launder student gear or uniforms, PPE must be available for the person in charge of laundering.

• Free weight exercises requiring a spotter can be conducted. Safety measures in all forms must be strictly enforced in the weight room.

• Celebratory and sportsmanship acts that involve contact should be prohibited.

• Shared hydration stations (water trough, water fountains, water hose, etc.) should not be utilized except for filling individual, labeled water bottles.

• Pool usage is acceptable. Schools should take necessary steps to promote health and safety both in the water and out by social distancing and using good hygiene.

• State and local guidelines that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate should be followed.

• No formal competition is allowed with the exception of girls golf.

Phase III: August 15

• All state and local guidelines for group limitations must be followed and social distancing is encouraged.

• Any student who prefers to wear a face covering for activities should be allowed, if doing so will not cause a health risk.

• Students, when not engaging in vigorous activity and when practical, should wear face coverings.

• Non-students, including coaches, medical-related staff, directors, security staff, supervisors, etc. should wear face coverings at all times unless under rigorous activity or poses a health risk.

• Consideration should be given to vulnerable individuals and it is encouraged for those individuals to seek medical guidance regarding his/her individual level of participation.

• An alternate command structure for coaching staff should be established in case of illness.

• Prior to participation, all first-time student athletes are required to have an IHSAA pre-participation physical for the upcoming school year. Returning student athletes are not required to obtain a new IHSAA pre-participation physical, but should provide a 2020-21 IHSAA Health History Update Questionnaire and Consent & Release Certificate prior to participation.

• All students and staff should be trained and screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to participating in workouts, rehearsals, or practices.

• Any person with COVID-19-related symptoms should not be allowed to take part in workouts, rehearsals, or practices and should contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate healthcare professional.

• Any person with a positive COVID-19 test shall trigger the established predetermined thresholds for mitigation strategies by following ISDH’s recommendation to work with your local health department in following the CDC guidance. Reference page 3, “When a confirmed case has entered a school, regardless of community transmission.”

• Coaches must track COVID-19 impacted attendance and report to district/school administration.

• Follow specific return to school protocol in reference to participation for student athletes or staff members who no longer test positive and/or no longer display symptoms of COVID-19.

• Districts/schools are encouraged to post signs displaying symptoms to educate students.

• Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm water and soap before touching any surfaces or participating. If this is not possible, hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place to place.

• If locker rooms or meeting rooms are used, 50 percent capacity is recommended.

• If the restriction to 50 percent capacity at competitive events creates a hardship and impacts the hygiene or safety of students, a 50 percent or greater capacity is allowed.

• Consider scheduling adjustments to reduce the number of events, duration, and/or participants present.

• Gathering sizes should be decreased as much as possible to reduce risk. Workouts should be conducted in defined, smaller groups of students with the same students always together. Reduce gathering size by half capacity in large areas (weight room, band rooms, wrestling rooms, etc.).

• The goal of social distancing is defined by the CDC. If it is not possible to follow these guidelines indoors or outdoors, then create as much distance as possible. It is recommended that participants and coaches wear face coverings when distancing is limited and the individual is not participating in rigorous activity. Officials should be given the option to wear face coverings. For sidelines, benches, or other holding areas, consider establishing protocol as a guide for students and coaches.

• Hospitality rooms for officials should not include shared food service and should allow space for social distancing. Individual waters and pre-packaged snacks may be made available.

• Consider scheduling adjustments to reduce the number of events, duration and/or participants present.

• Cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all facilities and equipment to mitigate any communicable diseases. Review the plan and supply inventory to thoroughly clean and disinfect prior to and after usage following CDC, EPA, and OSHA guidelines. The plan should be clear on who cleans and appropriate training and PPE is provided for such.

• Cleaning regarding team or group transportation must be followed.

• Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times to minimize transmission.

• No sharing of clothing, shoes, towels or water bottles.

• Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available at all times.

• Contact should be limited to only contact necessary to compete as defined by IHSAA. Modified sportsmanship practices should be observed.

• If equipment must be shared, including sports balls, weight room facilities, non-wind instruments, etc., this equipment should be cleaned prior to use and immediately following usage. Responsibility for cleaning should be clear and appropriate training and PPE should be provided.

• Any equipment such as weight benches, athletic pads, etc. having holes with exposed foam should be covered or discarded.

• Students must be expected to shower at school or at home and wash workout clothing immediately upon returning to their home. If a student does not have a laundered uniform, he/she may not be allowed to participate in practice or competition.

• If schools launder student gear or uniforms, PPE must be available for the person in charge of laundering.

• Shared hydration stations (water trough, water fountains, water hose, etc.) should not be utilized except for filling individual, labeled water bottles.

• Pool usage is acceptable. Schools should take necessary steps to promote health and safety both in the water and out by social distancing and using good hygiene.

• State and local guidelines that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate should be followed.

• Competition may begin.

• Spectators, media, and vendors can be present but should implement social distancing and follow established mass gathering guidelines.

• Concessions may be sold if food handlers and cashiers use appropriate PPE and only prepared, prepackaged food is available.