Press Release
The CIAC announced their plan for fall sports this season pushing back the first day of practice for cross country to August 27th and the first competition date set for September 24th.
The CIAC has released its plan for a return to interscholastic athletics this fall. A point of emphasis throughout the development of this plan is the fluid nature of planning around COVID.
Current revised plans have the regular season lasting just over a month from September 24th through October 29th and the 'tournament' or class and state meet from October 31st through November 8th.
The following limitations on spectators as well as limitations on gatherings were posted by the CIAC. A full list of updates and changes can be found here.
Spectator/Fan Attendance - As an education-based experience, CIAC sports must consider the primary goal of maximizing on-campus learning for all students. Sport complexes and recreation athletic facilities are primarily utilized for sport contests. Conversely, school facilities are used as instructional areas when games are not being played. Due to the variety of fields used for interscholastic athletic competition, it is difficult to develop a one size fits all regulation. Therefore, it is CIAC's recommendation that each school and district consider how their athletic fields will be used throughout the school year and determine the appropriateness of spectator/fan attendance at your school. The CIAC understands that playing games without fans may be appropriate for some schools but not logistically possible for others. Any allowance for spectators/fans should provide well-marked areas that maintain social distancing and follow capacity guidelines established in Connecticut's Phase 2 reopening plan and current CDC guidance. The CIAC supports the plans established by school districts that direct the presence of adults on campus at this time. Notwithstanding the above, permissible spectator/fan attendance will be governed by local districts' current operating plan.
Gathering Limitations - During practice/conditioning, athletes should remain grouped in smaller cohorts for purposes of spread mitigation and contact tracing strategy. Competition schedules should be scheduled within a region of the 10 closest schools to mitigate the potential spread and maximize contact tracing capability. When not directly participating in practices or contests, care should be taken to maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual. Consider using tape or paint as a guide for athletes and coaches. Vulnerable individuals should not supervise or participate in any workouts.
So while there is a plan for competition for the upcoming season, the gathering limitations above show that it will not be a normal season of invitationals within Connecticut and likely more local area Dual/Tri/Quad meets during the regular season. So as of now, after September 24th you can have Conference Only Meets while Invitationals and Out-Of-State Meets will not be allowed. The CIAC still are planning for post-season events.
"Face coverings should be worn by coaches, youth sports staff, officials, parents, and spectators as much as possible." The CIAC states that face coverings would be challenging for young athletes to wear while competing in sports.
"All staff and students are required to self-screen for any observable illness, including cough or respiratory distress, and to confirm temperature below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The coach or activity supervisor must confirm self-screening by all activity participants, upon arrival."
The CIAC also extended physicals to last for 15 months from when it was originally submitted, changed from 13 months.