UIL updates strength & conditioning guidelines; plans to start fall season on time

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- UIL released revisions to the “COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines for summer strength and conditioning and marching band activities” on July 8, effective immediately. The key details in the updated guidelines include the Face Coverings Executive Order GA-29, locker room access and competitive drills beginning July 13, and an update to the protocol dealing with individuals testing positive or exposed to COVID-19.

Face Coverings

Executive Order GA-29 will be in effect for all UIL activities, both summer and 2020-21 in-season activities. Face masks, coverings, and shield will be required for all employees, parents, students, and visitors ages 10 and older when entering an area where UIL activities are being conducted.

During summer workouts, athletes not actively exercising must have a mask. Athletes may remove masks when actively exercising, as long as, there are at least six feet of space between each athlete.

Exceptions to wearing face coverings include: Medical conditions or disabilities preventing the use of a mask, while eating or drinking, and activities that take place in a pool, lake, or similar body of water

Locker Room Access

Beginning July 13, schools will be allowed to give athletes access to locker rooms and showers. Before that date, athletes must arrive in proper gear and immediately return home to shower after workouts.

Competitive Drills

“Competitive drills involving one or more students on offense against one or more students on defense may be conducted beginning July 13,” said UIL in the press release. Students and staff not actively participating in the drill will still be required to wear face coverings.

Any sports-specific equipment used during these drills must be regularly disinfected throughout the workout session, and the equipment should not be shared between groups.

Confirmed, Suspected, or Exposed to COVID-19

UIL states that any individuals confirmed to have COVID-19 or experience symptoms must stay home throughout the infection period and wait to return to the campus until screened by the school system to see if the individual meets the campus re-entry requirements.

Those requirements are at least 72 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication, an improvement in symptoms such as shortness of breath, and at least 10 days have passed since the first appearance of symptoms.

Individuals that have come within close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual must self-quarantine for 14 days. If that individual experienced any symptoms, they must meet the re-entry requirements before returning to the school.

UIL considers close contact as “direct exposure to infectious secretions” and “being within six feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes, while not wearing a mask or face shield.

Fall Season Plans

UIL informed campus athletic directors that as of now, fall competitive seasons are scheduled to begin on time.

“UIL will continue to work with state officials and monitor CDC and other federal guidance to determine any further modifications to this guidance.”

For more information on the updated strength and conditioning guidelines and fall season schedules, visit https://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/covid-19-strength-conditioning-2020