Schuyler County Public Health is authorizing High-Risk Sports and Recreation to begin starting February 1st in Schuyler County.
This decision was reached based on NYSDOH Guidelines and in consultation with our school districts and county health officials in the Southern Tier and Western Regions. As responsible parties, school districts and other sport and recreation entities must implement a safety plan which adheres to the Interim Guidance for Sports and Recreation During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency which were amended January 22, 2021. These revisions allow local health departments to authorize non-professional and non-collegiate sports, such as wrestling, ice hockey, basketball, contact lacrosse, and volleyball, to proceed with individual and group training, competitions, and tournaments, effective February 1, 2021.
In order to best ensure student athletes can continue to recreate safely, Schuyler County Public Health and local school district administration have unanimously agreed to the following additional guidelines:
- Athletes must wear an acceptable face covering (as detailed in NYSDOH guidance), unless a medical exemption is obtained from their medical provider and approved by the school’s physician
- Spectators will not be permitted to attend indoor sporting events.
Please note, school districts may implement more restrictive measures should they choose.
Participating in higher-risk sports presents significant risks. The level of risk presented by a return to sports is influenced by the particular sport and setting, local disease activity, and individual circumstances including underlying health conditions that may place the athlete or their household members at increased risk of severe disease should they contract COVID-19. Individual schools and businesses, student and adult athletes, and parents/guardians must carefully consider a variety of factors before making an individual decision to participate. Athletes and coaches should also be mindful of their activity outside of sports to minimize risk and reduce community spread.
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