Indoor Sports Get OK From State, Riverside County Included

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Earlier this week, Riverside County announced that youth and adult sports could resume — including high-contact sports like football. On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health lifted more restrictions on sports after a settlement agreement was reached between the state and Let Them Play CA, which has fought for the resumption of all youth sports statewide.

With Thursday's settlement, a team in any sport, including indoor sports, can return to competition and contact practice at any time if the team adheres to requirements imposed on collegiate sports, the California Department of Public Health announced late Thursday. Regular COVID-19 testing of athletes and support staff, implementation of a "Return to Play Safety Plan," and implementation of isolation and quarantine procedures are among the requirements. See all the latest state requirements here.

Last month the state issued new sports guidance allowing certain moderate- and high-contact sports — like football, soccer, baseball, cheer and water polo — to begin in counties with an adjusted COVID-19 case rate of 14 new daily infections or fewer per 100,000 residents. The guidance applied to adult recreational sports teams, in addition to youth sports.

Riverside County's adjusted case rate dropped to 11.3 cases per 100,000 residents, the state announced Tuesday, so many sports were able to resume, with some safety restrictions.

However, the CDPH updated its sports guidance Thursday following the settlement agreement.

As of late Thursday night, the county had not commented on the latest CDPH guidance.

It's been nearly a year since Riverside Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser issued health orders more restrictive than those imposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and CDPH.

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