Winter contact sports will resume this week in schools across the state. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSA), winter contact sports like basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling have been able to practice since January 16th, but only with non-contact activities. Competitive activity can resume for basketball and hockey today, and cheer and wrestling on February 12th.
Last week in the state legislature, Republicans brought forth a plan to open up schools and get winter sports going, and also to shut down future Executive Orders to close school sports. Later the same day, Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave the green light to resuming in-person practice and competitions starting on Monday, citing the success of her and President Biden’s work to get Michigan going in the right direction.
Whitmer thanked the athletes for their passions, possibly referencing the thousands of “Let Them Play” protestors who were at the Capitol last weekend. She and MDHHS said teams can play if they wear masks, and if masks simply can’t be worn, like in a pool, there are testing protocols that must be followed. MDHHS and the Governor warned that failure to follow the rules could cause sports to take a break again if COVID rates go back up.
For a list of regulations for each contact sport, visit the MHSA’s website <HERE>.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
