Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/20/20
From US Lacrosse
This week we have seen more states partially reopen, with some restrictions lifted on gatherings and businesses opening. This has triggered feelings of hope and fear as we continue to battle this pandemic. Several professional sports have begun to publicize their plans for the return, and some youth sports have announced their tentative returns to play – which has caused many in our community to question – what about lacrosse?
Thank you for your support and for sharing your questions and concerns with us about returning to the lacrosse field. We have heard you and are working hard on finalizing the Safe Return To Playing Lacrosse initial white paper, scheduled to be released the week of May 25th:
Our guiding principles for the initial lacrosse return to play recommendations are to create and promote innovative, athlete-centered, developmentally-appropriate, and graduated lacrosse programming and activities that will allow for a staged return to play that strictly follows state and local public health guidelines and best practices. Issues we will address include:
How can we determine when its allowable to return to lacrosse practice outside, in public, or at home, with others?
With current WHO and CDC guidelines calling for physical distancing of six feet between people, how can we minimize the risk of exposure during a lacrosse practice?
What guidelines can US Lacrosse provide to modify activities to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure, while ensuring age-appropriate skill and technique instruction, injury prevention, agility, and conditioning training?
Is there any evidence to suggest that an outdoor activity, like lacrosse, presents a lower risk than an indoor activity?
What type of medical clearance should be required of any athlete, coach, official or participant or spectator in any organized lacrosse activity, and what actions should be taken if a participant tests positive for COVID-19 or becomes sick after being exposed to others in an organized lacrosse activity?
Once local public health guidelines and facilities allow for small groups of people to gather for a lacrosse activity, how long should those gatherings or activities be – and what activities are considered more high-risk than others?
Is there any evidence to advise what conditions must be met, in a given community or setting, for a multi-team lacrosse event, and a single multi-field venue to ensure a way to mitigate exposure to COVID-19 for all participants?