News Flash

For Immediate Release

07/28/2020                        

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/covid-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Rowan County Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

If Your Child Wants to Play Sports During COVID…

There are a number of actions you can take to help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure and reduce the spread of the virus while your child is playing sports.

The more people a child or coach interacts with, the closer the physical  interaction, the more sharing of equipment there is, and the longer a team is together, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Therefore, the risk of COVID-19 spread can be different, depending on the type of activity.

The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in youth sports settings as follows:

• Lowest Risk: Performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home, alone or with family members.
• Increasing Risk: Team-based practice.
• More Risk: Within-team competition.
• Even More Risk: Full competition between teams from the same local geographic area.
• Highest Risk: Full competition between teams from different geographic areas.

Stay safe on and off the field: Tips for kids

Kids can follow these tips to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

• Stay home if you’re sick or have been around others who are sick.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, before and after practices or games and before and after sharing equipment.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
• Don’t spit.
• Bring your own equipment, like gloves and bats, if possible.
• Don’t share towels, clothing, or any items used to wipe your face or hands.
• Keep your belongings separated from others, like your gym bag and equipment, when not in use.
• Avoid physical contact, like high fives, handshakes, fist bumps, and hugs.
• Tell a coach or staff member if you don’t feel well.

Keep youth athletes safe: Tips for parents and coaches

Reduce physical closeness between players when possible:

• Allow players to focus on building individual skills, like batting, dribbling, kicking, and strength training.
• Limit full contact between players.
• Increase space between players in the practice areas, including on the sideline, dugout, and bench.
• Avoid high fives, handshakes, fist bumps or hugs.

Minimize sharing of equipment or gear:

• Encourage players to bring their own equipment, like gloves, balls, and helmets (if possible).
• Clean and disinfect shared items between each use.

Limit travel outside of your area:

• Consider competing against teams in your local area (neighborhood, town, or community).

Practice social distancing and use cloth face coverings, when appropriate:

• Implement plans to space out spectators by 6 feet at games or competitions. Limit nonessential visitors, spectators, and volunteers.
• Coaches, parents, fans, officials, and sports staff should wear a cloth face covering.
• Don’t touch your cloth face covering. If you do, clean your hands.
• Parents, coaches, and sports administrators should decide if the kids need to wear cloth face coverings.
• It’s most important to wear a cloth face covering when it’s hard to keep 6 feet of space between people.

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Contact:
TJ Brown
704-216-8918
tj.brown@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - July 28, 2020 (PDF)