The health department is providing the following guidance for safe sports practices while Lenawee County is in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan. Lenawee County is part of Region 7, which includes Lenawee, Hillsdale, and Jackson. Everyone’s actions can help limit the spread of Coronavirus. Coaches set the example for their athletes and are strongly encouraged to follow and share these guidelines for the health and safety of their athletes and their families.
Screening:
All coaches and students should be screened daily for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to participating, including a temperature check. This check may take place onsite or be completed and verified prior to arrival onsite (at home, for example). Any athlete with a temperature of greater than 100.3 degrees or with other symptoms of COVID-19 should not participate and be sent home. See sample: COVID-19 Athlete/Coach Monitoring Form
Screening/attendance forms should be retained, so that there is a record of everyone present to aid in contact tracing if an attendee develops COVID-19. Screening responses must be kept confidential.
Limit gatherings:
OUTDOOR activity can take place in groups of 100 or fewer, if 6 feet of social distancing is maintained. Total attendance numbers include all participants (students and coaches) as well as any spectators.
No indoor sport activities (gym, weight room etc.) are allowed.
Social Distancing & Cloth Face Coverings:
- All athletes, coaches, spectators, and others must maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others at all times. This means that socially distanced drills may occur, but for many sports, team play cannot take place.
- Cloth face coverings should be worn by all athletes, coaches and spectators with the exception of participants in swimming, distance running or other high-intensity aerobic activity.
Hygiene Practices:
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of the elbow. Avoid touching the face.
- Disinfect frequently-used items and surfaces as much as possible. EPA Approved Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19
- Do not spit at all - air, ground, equipment, hands, sunflower seeds, etc.
- All students should bring their own individually marked water bottle and their own food. Water bottles or food must not be shared.
- Hydration stations (water cows, water trough, water fountains, etc.) should not be utilized.
Physical Activity & Equipment:
- All athletic equipment, including balls, should be cleaned intermittently during practices and after each use and prior to the next workout or practice.
- There should be no sharing of any equipment, towels, water bottles or clothing between students.
- Physical contact such as handshakes, high-fives, fist bumps, and hugs should not be allowed
Additional Information: MHSAA Summer Practice Guidance (note: Lenawee County is in Region 7) or contact the Lenawee County Health Department with questions at 517-264-5226 option 5 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; or email lenaweehd@lenawee.mi.us.