Outdoor youth sports in New Jersey may resume as soon as June 22 with low-risk competitive activities like golf and tennis, and increasing activity in subsequent weeks with sports considered medium and high risk for the transmission of the coronavirus, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday.
While some athletes can start competing a week from today as part of the Stage 2 of New Jersey’s coronavirus reopening, others that involve close contact can only practice certain drills for the next month. But football - considered high-risk - could potentially resume games by July 20, Murphy said.
“Sports is an engrained part of so many of our communities and our lives, our families," Murphy said during an update on the briefing in Trenton. “And we want everyone to be healthy and to be able to get out and play, but even more we want everyone to be safe.”
Murphy also said Monday that Stage 3 of the reopening plan could be coming within weeks.
Health experts say the virus can spread much easier indoors than outside, evidence that has prompted the state to reopen parks, beaches and give pools the green light to welcome swimmers back next week. But each time Murphy has loosened a rule on outdoor activity, he has also encouraged people to keep their distance from others and wear masks. In certain sports, such provisions prove impossible.
The state Department of Health has placed sports into the three-tier risk categories. Medium-risk sports include those with larger teams like baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. The sports teams can begin practicing non-contact drills Monday and could resume playing games by July 6 if the coronavirus trends remain on the decline in the state, Murphy said.
The highest risk sports, like football, can begin non-contact practices next Monday, but must wait until July 20 to play games again.
The dates could change, should the state see a suddens spike in cases and hospitalizations.
All organized sports must screen athletes, coaches and staff for signs of the virus using temperature checks and health questionnaire, said Judith Persichilli, the commissioner of the health department.
She also said organizers must create prep plans for their sports programs, and identify either staff or volunteers to remind players, coachers and attendees to employ social distancing.
Staff and attendees must wear cloth masks, but athletes should only cover their faces when they have downtime and are not exerting themselves.
Officials said teams should limit the sharing of equipment and disinfect it regularly, and also post signs reminding people to stay apart when possible.
Any sports that begin playing must adhere to the state’s limit on outdoor gatherings, which currently stand at 100 people. By June 22, that is expected to grow to 250, and then double to 500 by July 3.
Sports under the oversight of either the NJSIAA or NCAA must abide by those associations’ rules.
“Physical activity is vital for our overall health these measures will help to keep participants safe while engaging in their favorite outdoor sports,” Persichilli said.
Murphy announced more than 50 new deaths and more than 270 new cases of the virus Monday, the first day of Stage 2 in the reopening plan.
Nonessential retail stores reopened Monday with half capacity limits and social distancing measures. Outdoor dining also reopened with customers required to sit at tables at least 6 feet apart. Churches also resumed services over the weekend with limits of 50 people, or 25% of capacity, whichever is lower.
Fireworks displays are also permitted, Murphy announced Sunday, along with curbside pickup for libraries, yard sales, real estate open houses and car washes. All must adhere to limits on indoor and outdoor gathering sizes.
Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, tattoo parlors, and other personal-care businesses can reopen June 22. So can pools and outdoor, non-contact organized sports. And both youth day camps and in-person summer school can operate beginning July 6. All will have restrictions.
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Amanda Hoover may be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj.