Montgomery County Relaxes COVID-19 Restrictions On Youth Sports

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Council on Friday unanimously approved an updated Board of Health regulation that would loosen restrictions on youth sports.

The regulation — which took effect at 5 p.m. — eliminates the county's tiered system, which placed sports in low-, medium-, and high-risk categories. Sports that were classified as high-risk due to COVID-19 included football, cheerleading, and pompons.

With these changes, Montgomery County Public Schools can proceed with its abridged, three-game football season. Games scheduled between March 25 and 27 will be played in a controlled scrimmage format. [More information can be found here].

"We know the benefits sports have on the physical and emotional well-being of our youth," said Councilmember Craig Rice, who chairs the Education and Culture Committee. "This amendment will allow for equitable access in participating in all sports, while utilizing the best practices available to us to help mitigate the risks involved."

Under the new rules, all organized sports can resume once their COVID Protocol Plan is approved by the county.

The plan must include the following:

• a contact tracing component with an attendance tracking sheet that must be completed for all activities;
• a requirement that face coverings are worn as provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics;
• a commitment to maintain social distancing of at least six feet between all participants to the extent possible; and
• a requirement for the use of a student attestation form or a COVID-19 athlete or coach monitoring form at all activities

Organized sports leagues that were approved to operate under a prior Board of Health regulation — and that weren't previously classified as high-risk — do not need to develop a new COVID Protocol Plan for events that comply with gathering limits and restrictions.

Sports played outside of an organized league are allowed as long as they don't exceed the following capacity limits: 50 people for outdoor sports and 25 people for indoor sports. Face coverings are still mandatory whenever social distancing isn't possible.

"As a former high school and college athlete, I know just how important sports are for providing life skills, mentorship and social emotional support for young people," said Councilmember Will Jawando. "I am glad we are taking steps to bring back even more youth sports, including football, in a safe and responsible way. It's important that all student-athletes wear their masks, maintain social distancing when possible and follow all other health guidelines."

The new Board of Health regulation and the council staff report can be found here.