On Tuesday, January 5th, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced "Healthy Washington — A Roadmap to Recovery". This plan replaces the previous county-by-county four-phase reopening plan. With a single exception, student athletics, this plan is disconnected from the Department of Health guidelines that were announced on December 16th.
The "Roadmap" addresses K-12 and other athletics/activities in both Phase 1 and Phase 2"
Phase 2
Indoor Recreation and Fitness Establishments
(Includes gyms, fitness organizations, indoor recreational sports, indoor pools, indoor K-12 sports, indoor sports, indoor personal training, indoor dance, no-contact martial arts, gymnastics, climbing)
Outdoor Sports and Fitness Establishments
(outdoor fitness organizations, outdoor recreational sports, outdoor pools, outdoor parks and hiking trails, outdoor campsites, outdoor K-12 sports, outdoor sports, outdoor personal training, outdoor dance, outdoor motorsports)
Athletic Director, Paul Huddleston has developed a table to mirror the one above with WIAA Athletics listed
Phase 1
Low Risk Outdoor Sports
(Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field, sideline/no-contact cheerleading and dance)
Practice and training only
Competitions allowed (no tournaments). Maximum of 200 people including spectators.
Moderate Risk Outdoor Sports
(Baseball, Soccer, Softball)
High Risk Outdoor Sports
(Football)
Low Risk Indoor Sports
(Swimming & Diving)
Practice and training only in stable groups of no more than 5 athletes
Competitions allowed (no tournaments). Venues at 25% capacity.
Moderate Risk Indoor Sports
(Bowling, Gymnastics, Volleyball)
High Risk Indoor Sports
(Basketball, Cheerleading w/ contact, dance w/ contact, wrestling)
On Wednesday, January 6th, the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA) announced revisions to their plans in response to the governor's new plan.
Athletic Director Paul Huddleston has been engaged all week with other athletic directors in Southwest Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, and Wahiakukum) to plan for the potential of interscholastic athletics.
On Monday, January 11, the Governor's Office posted THIS DOCUMENT on their website that provides athletics guidance
On the evening of Tuesday, January 12, the. WIAA posted THIS DOCUMENT on their website. It provides sport and activity guidelines.
Attached for consideration is an article published this week by the American Academy of Pediatrics that provides guidance on student athletics. Though it is not state guidance, it does a nice job of informing, from a medical perspective, the benefits and risks of student athletics.