With the latest shift in goalposts today, we are currently not allowed to have any indoor sports at all – this despite the fact that we are allowed to have PE classes, be in school, ride buses, etc. Expressing my frustration here, this goes clearly against the concept that activities are a part of school and an important part of the educational process. This is NEW Today. Prior to today, schools were not included in the measurement or guidance for communities from the Governor’s office because schools had a state agency directly managing the rules for schools (ODE). Prior to today, we were allowed to practice (with some mitigation actions) based upon our plan. Now our plan has been officially overridden by Governor mandate as has every other plan for sports in the state – including universities.
So now we see on Monday if we will change categories and be allowed indoor practices – but this is unlikely for a week or two.
I have heard from many students, staff, and parents alike their desire to at least get the kids practicing sports and I am working on solutions to get our activities back in a safe manner. The following is a message from OSAA which released the information from the Oregon Health Authority and Governor Brown.
Superintendents, Principals and Athletic Directors,
The Governor’s Office and OHA posted new Sector Guidance for Indoor and Outdoor Recreation earlier this morning. With the release of this new guidance, K-12 School Sports now fall under Indoor and Outdoor Recreation.
Here are important links to the new guidance:
- Oregon COVID-19 Counties & Risk Levels Map
- Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart (see excerpt below too)
- Sector Guidance – Indoor Recreation
- Sector Guidance – Outdoor Recreation
We encourage you to read through this new information but here are some key takeaways:
- Guidelines for K-12 School Sports are now based on your county’s risk level (lower, moderate, high, extreme). It is no longer tied to your school’s instructional method.
- Indoor sports/recreation are allowed in lower, moderate and high risk level counties provided maximum capacity limits outlined in the Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart are followed.
- Indoor sports/recreation is prohibited in extreme risk counties.
- Outdoor sports/recreation are allowed in all counties provided maximum capacity limits outlined in the Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart are followed.
- “Outdoor” means any open-air space, including any space which may have a temporary or fixed cover (e.g. awning or room) and at least 75% of the square footage of its sides open for airflow. If a space doesn’t meet the definition of outdoor, then it is considered indoor and must comply with the requirements and guidance for indoor operations.
- Full contact sports remain prohibited. These include football, wrestling, basketball, contact cheer and contact dance. Training and conditioning may still take place in these prohibited activities provided they don’t include full contact of any kind.
- All individuals are required to adhere to Statewide Mask, Face Covering Guidance, including when actively participating.
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pool usage falls under county risk level guidance.
- For contact tracing, record participant and visitor contact information, date, and time of facility use. Unless otherwise required, this information may be destroyed after 60 days.
- To the extent possible, athletes traveling out of state as part of an athletic traveling team for indoor/outdoor recreation should, but are not required to, self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to Oregon.
Peter Weber
Executive Director, OSAA