Plant City Athletic Field Users - Restart Information

Press release from City of Plant City:

September 29 2020

Hello again, Plant City field users!

After another very informative region-wide discussion today with the doctors from Hillsborough County Department of Health and USF Health, we are seeing a rise in COVID-19 infection rates among high school and college age people. This directly impacts youth sports programs. At the elementary and middle school levels, things seem to be leveling off, but the older youths are showing a rise due to their extracurricular activities and involvement in various other activities outside of school. There is a lot of concern with these youths picking up COVID-19 and bringing it into their homes and to their most-at-risk family members that are over-65 and/or have underlying health conditions. Hospitalization rates have also risen in recent days. East Hillsborough County was mentioned as especially worrisome due to its increased numbers.

Overall though, the concern is extremely high concerning the mass gatherings of spectators at youth sporting events. This is causing the most heartburn to our health experts as these spectators will also take the virus home to their most-at-risk family members.

Pending any drastic changes in COVID-19 positivity rates for Hillsborough County in the upcoming days, it looks like we are currently still on track for the resumption of the following, per our earlier conversations:

· Conditioning and skills practices for all youth sports, utilizing appropriate COVID-19 mitigation efforts – already under way

· October 1 – start of competitive youth games for all sports except football/basketball, utilizing appropriate COVID-19 mitigation efforts

· October 17 – start of competitive youth tackle football/basketball games, utilizing appropriate COVID-19 mitigation efforts

· November 2 – start of competitive tournament play for youth soccer/lacrosse and youth tackle football, utilizing appropriate COVID-19 mitigation efforts

· January 4 – start of all adult sports – full practices or games, utilizing appropriate COVID-19 mitigation efforts

For the start of competitive games, there may be some serious restrictions on the number of spectators allowed. Non-family grouped seating may not be allowed, including use of the bleachers or closely placed lawn chairs. These guidelines are being developed region-wide and will be distributed shortly.

Remember to tailor your individual COVID-19 Mitigation Plan to follow current CDC/DOH guidelines. Points of emphasis are in the attached Return to Play process document.

A reminder that these proposed dates are still tentative and these start-ups will be rescinded if a serious upswing in the COVID-19 positivity rate is seen in Hillsborough County.

We are inching closer to the start of competition, but it is up to you and your families, along with the rest of our community, to continue your COVID-19 mitigation efforts by social distancing, wearing masks when not social distancing, frequent vigorous handwashing with warm water and soap, and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you cannot wash up.

Additional info will be coming out shortly, but I promised more information as soon as we got it and today was that day. Stay safe and stay #PlantCityStrong!

This press release was produced by the City of Plant City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.