All club sports are banned in Connecticut until Jan. 19, 2021, Gov. Ned Lamont announced. 

Lamont made the announcement Thursday during a press conference, and says keeping children learning inside the classroom as long as possible is essential and contact tracing shows most students and teachers have to quarantine after exposure playing sports.

The news comes after the CIAC decided this week to postpone winter sports until Jan. 19.

Lamont says there are currently 17 school closures due to exposure through sport teams and 29 outbreaks traced back to them. He says 235 teachers have had to quarantine due to a sports team member testing positive for COVID-19.

General manager of Wonderland of Ice Lisa Fedick says she's still waiting to read through official state guidance on how this will effect the teams that play there.

Parents say taking away sports this year is taking away the one thing students have left.

This executive order does not apply to college or professional sports. The pause on club sports goes in to effect Monday.

BRIEFING UPDATES:

-"Disturbing numbers here," said Gov. Ned Lamont as the state hits 6.5% positivity rate.

-36,339 tests were administered and 2,353 came back positive (6.48% rate)

-840 patients are currently hospitalized (increase of 24)

-There have been 21 additional deaths in one day

-"Virtually all red," Lamont said. Most of the towns in the state are in the red alert zone.

-Keeping schools open: 17 school closures due to sport team contacts; 235 teachers have had to quarantine due to sports team member; 29 outbreaks attributed to sports teams.

-Pause on all team sports: CIAC decision to postpone all interscholastic winter sports to Jan. 19; all club and other team sports must pause all activities until Jan 19 - effective Nov. 23. Does not apply to college or professional sports.

-Holiday shopping: Plan ahead for lines, maximize curbside pickup, stores should consider additional staff & security, flexible hours, dedicated time for seniors.

-Lamont urges residents to keep Thanksgiving to people who you live with. 

-In Bristol over 300 students missed school due to COVID-19 exposure due to sports.