Youth sports can soon resume in California counties with low COVID-19 case rates

Outdoor youth and recreational sports could be allowed again next week in California in 27 counties where coronavirus rates are lowest, under new guidelines from the California Department of Public Health announced Friday.

Outdoor sports will be allowed to resume in counties with fewer than 14 cases of COVID-19 for every 100,000 residents. The new rules apply to all organized youth and adult sports and take effect next Friday, February 26.

That means sports may resume in Yolo, El Dorado, Placer, San Luis Obispo and 23 other counties if current case rates hold.

Gov. Gavin Newsom shared the news at a news conference Friday morning.

“We are now confident with new guidelines we can get youth sports running again,” Newsom said.

As for indoor sports, such as wrestling and basketball, Newsom said, “That’s a separate conversation and more complicated.”

The day of the announcement, Sacramento was above the threshold of 14 cases per 100,000 at 18.7. So was Fresno with 19.8 cases per 100,000. The state included both counties on a list of those close to meeting the threshold, but provided no timeline on when that might happen. The state typically updates that data on Tuesdays.

Yolo County met both criteria for the less-restrictive red tier this week — a one-week test positivity rate below 8% and a daily average of fewer than seven cases per 100,000 residents.

About three-quarters of California’s counties now meet the test positivity requirement, but 40 of them still had at least 14 daily cases per 100,000, more than double the second requirement.

In the capital region, this includes Sacramento County at 6% positivity and 18.7 cases per 100,000; and El Dorado at 5.4% positivity and 14.7 cases per 100,000. Placer is faring a bit better, reported at 4.8% positivity and 12.7 daily cases per 100,000 in Tuesday’s tier list update. Another update should come next Tuesday before practices can start Friday.

“Youth sports are important to our children’s physical and mental health,” said State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón. “With case rates and hospitalizations declining across California, we are allowing outdoor competition to resume, with modifications and steps to reduce risk, in counties where case rates are lower.”

In counties with case rates between 7 and 14 per 100,000, people over age 13 will be required to get tested every week to play or coach football, rugby and water polo, all high-contact sports likely to be played without masks. Test results must be available within 24 hours of competitions, under the new guidelines.

Other sports considered lower contact, including baseball, cheerleading and softball, will not have a testing requirement.

Parents of children participating in the newly allowed sports must sign consent forms saying they understand and acknowledge that playing even in accordance with the guidelines carries a risk of contracting COVID-19.

Players, coaches excited to practice

Coaches and student-athletes in the Sacramento area expressed relief and joy at the chance to compete again.

Casa Roble football coach Chris Horner texted: “Hallelujah!!!!”

In the southern part of Sacramento County at Sheldon High, football coach Chris Nixon said, “This is great news, and great news especially for those seniors, and for those seniors who may never play football again. This is something kids have been working for. It’s a step forward. We’ll find a way.”

Nixon added, “Our heads are spinning. I’ve had kids for four or five months out here, grinding in conditioning, 25 to 30 of them, every day, and God bless them. They stuck with it.”

The leader of that stuck-with-it crowd is Nixon’s senior quarterback son, Sean.

“We’ve been waiting for this news every day since January and February, even earlier,” Sean Nixon said. “We’re happy. We’re ready to get back to work. We just want to play.”

Placer football coach Joey Montoya shared the news with his jubilant coaching staff and players. The reaction was more jubilation.

“I’m happy for the kids. It’s been so disheartening not having sports, and it’s been an absolute bear for kids and their mental health. This is a start in the right direction,” he said.

This story was originally published February 19, 2021 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Youth sports can soon resume in California counties with low COVID-19 case rates."