Beginning Thursday, Dec. 3, the governor’s new “risk levels” prohibit indoor school sports in 25 Oregon counties.
Gov. Kate Brown has implemented a new public health framework with four risk levels for counties based on their coronavirus spread. As of Thursday, 25 counties are in the extreme risk category.
Guidelines for K-12 school sports are now tied to a county’s risk level and not instructional method metrics, according to the Oregon School Activities Association.
Indoor sports are allowed in all but extreme risk counties and outdoor sports are allowed in all counties, but capacity limits in the Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart must be observed. Mask and social distancing requirements are also still in effect.
The full contact sports of football, wrestling, basketball, contact cheer and contact dance remain prohibited, according to OSAA, the governing body for school sports and activities. Training and conditioning in these sports can continue as long as they don’t include contact.
The guidelines encourage teams traveling out of the state to quarantine for 14 days upon return but don’t require it.
The risk levels do not affect in-person instruction, which is determined by the metrics in the “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidance. But the new rules do cover K-12 indoor and outdoor sports and recreation.
