Football, 'Fall 2' Sports A Go Under New RI Regulations

PROVIDENCE, RI — There's hope on the horizon for youth athletes in Rhode Island. On Thursday, state officials said it's finally safe to allow games and travel for all sports in the state, including high-risk activities such as football.

These new regulations are the loosest since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, and a result of the weeks-long improvement in the state's hospitalizations, percent positivity rate and case numbers.

Janet Coit, the director of the Department of Environmental Management, said Thursday that the "Fall Two" season will be allowed to move forward, and that high-risk sports can have games. Previously, only team workouts and training were allowed for this category.

The other major change relates to travel. Under the new rules, Rhode Island teams can play out-of-state games, and teams from outside Rhode Island can use the state's sports facilities. In all cases, teams must come from a state with a percent positivity rate of five percent or lower, and must follow all travel regulations.

Coit cautioned athletes that this won't be business as usual. Strict rules about mask-wearing, equipment sanitizing and other safety measures will be required to keep players, coaches and their families safe.

The new regulations also loosen bans on spectators, particularly for youth leagues. More spectators will be allowed, provided capacity and distancing guidelines are followed, and only family members will be allowed at youth games. Colleges and universities have slightly different regulations, with attendees limited only to home-team students, staff and faculty.

Low risk

• Track and field
• Individual swimming
• Golf
• Weightlifting
• Skiiing
• Sideline cheer
• Cross country
• Archery
• Cycling
• Equestrian
• Snowboarding
• Singles figure skating
• Solo sailing

Medium risk:

• Basketball
• Ice hockey
• Volleyball
• Baseball
• Softball
• Soccer
• Gymnastics
• Field Hockey
• Tennis
• Swimming relays
• Girl's lacrosse
• Water polo
• Fencing
• Competitive group cycling
• Non-competitive dance
• Individual competitive dance
• Team sailing

High Risk:

• Football
• Wrestling
• Boy's lacrosse
• Competitive cheer
• Rugby
• Boxing
• Competitive martial arts
• Pairs figure skating