Pritzker, IDPH announce updated safety guidelines for winter sports

Posted on October 27, 2020
Basketball
The updated guidance moves basketball from medium risk to high risk due to the close contact of players and indoor play. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health Tuesday announced updated guidance for youth and adult recreational winter sports.

The youth sports guidance puts sports into three risk levels, lower, medium, or higher, based on the amount of contact between athletes and their proximity during play.

The updated guidance moves basketball from medium risk to high risk due to the close contact of players and indoor play. Wrestling and hockey continue to be categorized as high risk as well. Cheer and dance will be categorized as lower risk, only if masking and distance are enforced. Low risk sports like bowling, gymnastics, swimming and diving will be permitted to play during winter.

Based on current conditions, lower risk sports can be played at levels 1, 2, and 3. Medium risk sports can be played at levels 1 and 2, and higher risk sports can be played at level 1.

  • In level 1, only no-contact practices and training are allowed.
  • In level 2, intra-team scrimmages are allowed with parental consent for minors but there can be no competitive play.
  • In level 3 intra-conference, intra-EMS-region or intra-league play is allowed and there may be state- or league-championship games allowed for low-risk sports only.
  • In level 4, tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, and out-of-state play are allowed. Championship games would also be allowed in level 4.

Collegiate sports and professional leagues are not impacted by these restrictions.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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