New COVID protocols by Governor for athletics gives hope for DIAA sports this fall
DOVER, Del. (BVM) — With Governor John Carney’s Sept. 1 modification of Delaware’s state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he opened the door to the possibility of a return to athletics earlier than expected for state athletes. In his modification, Carney outlined requirements that would need to be followed by athletic facilities, organizations and leagues in order to participate in athletic events. If the procedures are not followed, these entities could be subject to closures or fines.
Some of the major requirements included in the plan are facilities, leagues or organizers that will host indoor sports, including leagues and tournaments, must have a plan approved by the Department of Public Health (DPH), tournaments of any kind would also not be permitted unless approved by the DPH. Face coverings will also be required for athletes at all times unless rule changes or face covering modifications approved by DPH are in place for high-risk sports such as football, basketball and wrestling. Athletes playing medium and low-risk sports such as volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball may remove their face covering when active on a field of play but must wear it at all other times. Masks will also be required to be worn by athletes at all times for indoor sports. This modification is the first time the Governor’s order has allowed for the possibility of athletic events such as football and wrestling to take place in the state.
Athletes will not be the only ones subject to the new mask requirements. Coaches and all staff must wear a face covering at all times including when addressing players or officials on or off the field, during the game and during practice, training and team meetings. Additionally, referees and officials must wear a face covering at all times and whistles will be replaced with an alternate device that can be used to draw attention without removing a face covering. Fans and other spectators will also be required to wear a mask during indoor sporting events and they must wear them at all times unless seated and socially distanced from others outside their household.
Social distancing will also be a standard for most sporting events. Besides the in-game action on the field, players and coaches must maintain a social distance of six feet from other members of the team including other players and staff members. Equipment such as benches or dugouts cannot be used unless social distancing practices are being utilized. Additionally, the cleaning and disinfecting of commonly used equipment and surfaces will be increased and all participants in sports must wash hands or sanitize hands before and after practice and games and in-game sanitation is encouraged.
Other requirements include for low and medium risk activities, team groups of no more than 15 players plus staff will be allowed to practice at one time, implementing staggered arrivals and departures from events to avoid groups and equipment should not be shared among groups unless unavoidable in which case the materials must be cleaned and disinfected between uses.
The DIAA will continue to follow its previously approved Emergency Regulation 1010 which included Stage 2 of the DIAA Return to Play plan. Stage 2 allowed for coaches to provide out-of-season instruction to their players, but no formal practices, scrimmages or competitions can occur until Stage 3 of the plan. Though the state’s condensed sports schedule is still planned to begin with the winter sports season in December, the DIAA announced in a Sept. 1 press release that it would conduct a survey of superintendents and heads of schools to obtain DIAA member schools’ feedback regarding the Governor’s order and the DIAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee would meet on Sept. 8 to consider the order and provide any additional recommendations to the DIAA Board of Directors regarding middle and high school interscholastic athletics.
The DIAA Board of Directors will consider the recommendations, survey feedback and the order during its monthly meeting on Sept. 10. The board will continue to receive petitions for reconsideration or revision of Emergency Regulation 1010 and will consider such petitions at its Sept. 10 meeting as well.
“DIAA remains committed to protecting the physical well-being of all student athletes and ensuring fair competition among member schools,” the organization said in the press release.
While it remains to be seen if there will be any official changes to the DIAA’s current emergency regulation and return to play plan, the fact that the governor’s office is allowing for sports to resume, with protocols, is a step in the right direction for Delaware sports happening by year’s end. With other states already in or beginning their fall sports seasons, it may be only a matter of time before the DIAA and the state of Delaware follow suit.
