9.3 SR 04-19-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COVID-19 SPORTS PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS (www.cdc.gov/coronavi rus/2019-ncov/prevent-getti ng-sick/how-to-wear-cloth-face- coveri ngs. htm I). People who have medical or other health conditions, disabilities, or mental health, developmental, or behavioral needs that make it difficult to tolerate wearing a face covering. ✓ For further information and background regarding the decision to require face coverings for most sports, please see Face Coverings in Organized Sports During COVID-19 (Face Coverings in Organized Sports During COVID-19 (www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/sportsmask.pdf). MDH recognizes that it takes time for people to acclimate to face coverings. There are some key considerations to help athletes effectively wear face coverings during any sport: Wear a face covering that fits snugly against the sides of the face. This will prevent it from slipping and interfering with vision. Athletes may have to try a variety of face coverings to find one that fits properly. Before using a face covering in competition, athletes should acclimate to wearing a face covering during practices by starting out with less intense workouts and building intensity as they become comfortable wearing the face covering. Bring extra face coverings to practice so athletes can replace wet or soiled face coverings. Face -covering guidance does allow for people to remove their face covering if they are having trouble breathing. If an athlete needs to take their mask off, they should take a break from play, and find an area where they can sit down and be physically distanced before removing the face covering. Athletes should stop activity if they are feeling overly fatigued, dizziness, headache, muscular weakness, or drowsiness. Promote testing Those participating in sports programs and activities should consider routine testing, especially those in K-12. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Education recommend that participants in extracurricular activities get tested for COVID-19 every other week for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. MDH also strongly recommends that those who participate in wrestling get tested prior to each competition. Wrestling is a sport that confers high risk for transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 because of close proximity and contact with another person. In addition, it is difficult for masks to be worn without getting pulled off and tangled. Minnesota and other states have identified multiple outbreaks associated with wrestling. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 can be transmitted by asymptomatic people, MDH strongly recommends that wrestlers test for COVID frequently, including 48 — 72 hours prior to a meet. When planning, it is important to take into account the time needed for test results to be available prior to the match. 7of18