By Marty Gordon
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) is making plans for the reopening of sports later this year and includes many different precautions in those plans.
Working in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Education (DOE), the VHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) has developed a list of Phase III recommended guidelines for school divisions as they prepare for the safe reopening of high school sports and activities.
Due to the possibility of recurrent outbreaks in the coming months, schools must be prepared for periodic school closures and the possibility of some teams having to isolate for two or more weeks while in season. The development of school policies is recommended regarding practice and/or competition during temporary school closures, the cancellation of contests during the regular season and parameters for the cancellation or premature ending to postseason events/competitions.
Given the coming financial crisis at the state and local levels, the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS) fears that athletic trainer positions will be seen as a “luxury” and those positions will be at risk during the budgeting process. It is also assumed that athletic trainers supplied to high schools by hospitals and sports medicine clinics are also at risk as many medical clinics and hospitals have suffered severe revenue loss during the pandemic.
Athletic trainers in high schools are positioned to play a vital role as sports return from their pandemic-induced hiatus. As health-care professionals, trainers can take lead roles in developing and implementing infection control policies throughout the schools. Whenever needed, state associations and their SMAC‘s should promote the importance of athletic trainers in high schools and their role in injury evaluation, treatment and risk minimization as well as their being a vital component of any return-to-school and athletics plan.
VHSL Phase III Recommended Guidelines for Reopening High School Sports:
Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities.
Prior to an individual or groups of individuals entering a facility, hard surfaces within that facility should be wiped down and sanitized ( such as chairs, furniture in meeting rooms, weight room equipment, bathrooms and athletic training room tables).
Indoor practices/activities may occur if at least 10 feet of physical distance can be maintained by all persons (including participants and coaches ) at all times. The total number of attendees (including participants and coaches) cannot exceed the lesser of 50% of the occupancy load of the room in which the activity is being held or 250 persons.
No spectators will be allowed during practices.
Outdoor practices/activities are allowable if at least 10 feet of physical distance can be maintained by all persons (including participants and coaches) at all times. The total number of attendees (including participants and coaches) cannot exceed the lesser of 50% of the occupancy load of the venue or 250 persons. Again, no spectators will be allowed during practices.
State, local or school district guidelines for cloth face coverings should be strictly followed. Cloth face coverings should be considered acceptable. There is no need to require or recommend “medical grade” masks for physical activity.
All students should wear face coverings when physical distancing is not possible.
One-piece plastic shields covering the entire face will not be allowed during participation due to the risk of unintended injury to the person wearing the shield or others.
Coaches, officials and other contest personnel should wear cloth face coverings at all times and are strongly encouraged to wear cloth face coverings whenever physical distancing is not possible. Anyone with an identified health condition may be exempt from the face covering policy. Face coverings should be laundered on a daily basis and hands should be washed after touching/adjusting face coverings.
Artificial noisemakers such as an air horn or a timer system with an alarm can be used to signal in place of a traditional whistle.
All students must bring their own water bottle.
Schools should make every effort to keep it local and avoid cross–county travel whenever possible, especially if counties are in different phases.
If locker rooms or meeting rooms are used, there must be a minimum distance of six feet between each individual at all times. Shower use should not be allowed at schools. Athletes should be encouraged to shower and change clothing immediately upon returning home.
