As the Adjusted Case Rate (ACR) of new daily cases of COVID-19 continues on a downward trajectory, the state issued revised guidelines that allow for outdoor organized youth sports to resume starting on Feb. 26. Those guidelines were discussed at the Feb. 23, Board of Education meeting of the Beverly Hills Unified School District (District).
The new rules permit outside sports to take place in counties that have reached an ACR of 14 or fewer new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population. As of Feb. 23, the County’s rate was 12.3. Youth low-contact sports now permitted by the District include cross country, golf, swimming, boys’ and girls’ tennis, and track and field.
Outdoor, high-contact sports such as basketball, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, rowing, soccer and water polo may resume all activities, including practices, training and competitions.
“Track and field will be modified,” said Director of District Athletics Tim Ellis. “There probably won’t be any jumps because of the cleaning of the mats. Throwing of the discus will probably be restricted because of having to clean the apparatus. And the same with relays, because of having the batons touching different kids.”
Ellis described COVID-19 protocols that are in place.
“So, all of our athletes will start on Moreno Drive in their designated gate. They check in daily through the District site, they have their temperature taken before entering their respective pods of 12 athletes, and every 20 minutes we break for hand sanitation and water. We will continue these practices even as the public health order eases their restrictions,” said Ellis.
