As more communities reopen across the country, youth sports could start up again soon, and communities should be prepared to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released some considerations about youth team sports in the time of COVID-19.
The CDC stresses that these considerations are meant as supplements and not as replacements for any health and safety laws and rules where youth sports take place.
Some of the considerations include:
- Thinking of the risks around youth sports activities. For example, a child could practice sports drills or conditioning workouts at home, either alone or with family members, which would have a low risk of spreading COVID-19. A team-based practice would be higher risk, and games between teammates and other teams from other areas could create an even higher risk of spreading COVID-19.
- Cutting down on equipment sharing, and making sure to clean and disinfect shared equipment between uses to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.
- Wearing face coverings as much as possible, which would include coaches, youth sports staff, officials, parents and spectators.
- Avoiding the sharing of towels, clothing or other items commonly used to wipe faces or hands between players.
- Having practice outdoors as much as possible instead of indoors.
- Frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds is still important. If soap and water aren't available, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol should be made available.