SYRACUSE, NY – New Department of Health guidelines released Friday appear to be giving the green light to high school and recreational sports that are considered high-risk for the spread of coronavirus, which begins Feb. 1.
In terms of scholastic competition, activities such as wrestling, hockey, basketball and competitive cheerleading are covered. Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, wheeled the sports so that athletes could train individually but not as a team or play.
‘Yes! Let’s go baby! I’m so pumped. I’m so happy for the kids, ”said Stafford Spreter, West Genesee girls basketball coach.
“I could not be happier or more excited to get out there and finally be able to play,” said girls basketball player Jamesville De-Witt, Momo LaClair. “This is the moment we have all been waiting for and I think I speak for everyone when I say we are not going to go to waste this season.”
The new DOH regulations read:
“With effect from 1 February 2021, participants in higher-and-again sports and leisure activities may participate in individual or distance group training and organized group / low-contact group training and, furthermore, only play in other types, including competitions and tournaments , participate only as permitted by the respective local health authorities, (ie provincial health departments), ”read the guidelines.
“Local health authorities must take into account the following factors to enable or continue sports and recreational activities with a higher risk, as these factors can weigh in many areas if such activities allow:
▪ whether a more transmissible variant of COVID-19 has been identified in the area,
▪ local rates of COVID-19 transmission or positive rate, and
▪ local ability to monitor and enforce compliance.
For all sports with a lower, moderate and higher risk, travel for exercise or play is prohibited outside the region or adjacent provinces / regions. Interstate travel for exercise or play is strongly discouraged and must, if undertaken, strictly comply with the requirements of the state’s travel advice.
Travel for exercise or play to, or from, any area in New York designated as a red or orange zone may only be allowed after consultation with the respective state or local health authorities, taking into account the above factors. ‘
Onondaga County CEO Ryan McMahon was one of many politicians across the country who encouraged the governor to lighten the sport.
In Division III, the winter sports season is for January 4-Feb. 28. Considering the required number of practices, teams will have approximately 2-3 weeks to play games and matches.
“It sounds like we’re going to have a season,” said Western Genesis hockey coach Frank Colabufo. “I told the kids (at practice) I don’t know what that means, but it’s the best news we’ve had all year.”
It is possible that given the severe turnaround, some schools prefer to skip winter sports altogether.
The executive director of Division III, John Rathbun, could not be immediately reached for comment.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association sent a tweet that apparently expressed surprise at the announcement.
The news also seems to be a good indication of football, volleyball and boys’ lacrosse, all of which fall into the high-risk category. Soccer and volleyball are now planned for the fall season II, which would begin in March. Boys’ lacrosse is contested in the spring season.
More to come
Lindsay Kramer is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and syracuse.com. Do you have a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached by email at [email protected].