New Rules For Youth Sports In RI Start April 26

PROVIDENCE, RI — New rules for youth sports will go into effect before the end of the school year in Rhode Island. Starting April 26, the state will give the green light to "high risk" activities, including wrestling.

Janet Coit, the director of the Department of Environmental Management, said Thursday that the department is working with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League to ensure student-athletes are kept safe. The department is "strongly encouraging" frequent COVID-19 testing for students, especially on high-risk teams, particularly since not all students are eligible to get vaccinated at this time.

"High-risk" activities include:

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

In February, the state allowed football and other "Fall 2" sports to go forward with games, and travel was again allowed for out-of-state play.

The other major change coming to Rhode Island concerns spectators. Currently, only parents or guardians can attend games. Starting May 28, that rule will be lifted to allow more people to attend youth sports games.

Read more:

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• RI To Pilot Walk-Up Coronavirus Vaccine Clinics
  
• Coronavirus Vaccine Clinic For URI Students, Staff This Weekend