CIAC releases guidelines for student athletes to return to play

Three months after COVID-19 canceled sporting events and sidelined student athletes, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference released an outline for getting them back on the field.

News 12 Staff

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Jun 5, 2020, 11:31 PM

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Updated 1,798 days ago

Three months after COVID-19 canceled sporting events and sidelined student athletes, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference released an outline for getting them back on the field.

Virtual coaching and conditioning sessions have been allowed since June 1. The CIAC has set July 6 to start Phase 2, which includes in-person training of up to 10 students for all sports three times a week.

“This concept of working in cohorts of 10 is really important, and that those cohorts remain the same cohorts throughout strength and conditioning practices over the course of a month,” says Jay Egan, the athletic director at New Canaan High School.

The next phase for athletics would begin no earlier than Aug. 3 and allow "low to moderate risk" sports to resume. Competitions and practices could be limited to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.

However, fans wouldn't be allowed. They would be part of the fourth and final phase, along with high-risk sports like football – with a possible date of Aug. 31.

The guidelines are dependent on the state's COVID-19 reopening plan and infections continuing to fall. Each school district will also make its own decision on when it’s safe to have sports on-site again.

The CIAC will encourage everyone, except the players on the field, to wear masks – including coaches, officials and fans. Staff and students will also be required to self-screen for illness.