The New York State Department of Education has released COVID-19 guidance for schools this fall, and it includes a mask mandate for students, teachers and staff while inside school buildings.
It also includes a provision that surprised Monroe County school districts: team sports competitions should be virtual or canceled in a “red” COVID-19 zone unless all students are vaccinated. Monroe County was named a red zone on Thursday. That’s for “high risk” sports, but the guidance doesn’t define high risk. Football and wrestling were used as examples.
The state says it’s following the latest CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
The New York State Public High School Athletics Association is advising that this is just a recommendation to school districts, and student athletes shouldn’t panic. They said school administrators will work with local departments of health to determine how athletics should be handled.