The Governor’s Office and OHA posted new Statewide Freeze Guidance for K-12 School Sports late Tuesday. Per the Governor’s Executive Order 20-65, the freeze is effective Wednesday, November 18 through Wednesday, December 2 but could be extended.
We encourage you to read through the six-page document but here are the key takeaways:
- Prohibition on all K-12 School Sports indoors, including conditioning, training, and competition.
- Outdoor training, conditioning, and competition is still allowed for non-contact and minimal/medium contact sports for schools utilizing On-Site, Hybrid, or Comprehensive Distance Learning.
- Outdoor training and conditioning are still allowed for full-contact sports for schools utilizing On-Site, Hybrid, or Comprehensive Distance Learning provided they don’t include full contact of any kind.
- Mask/face coverings must be worn when actively participating in an outdoor sport.
- Closure of indoor and outdoor swimming pools, licensed spa pools, and indoor sports courts.
- Limit the maximum capacity for each outdoor K-12 school sporting event to 50 people. Maintain physical distancing of at least six (6) feet per person.
- Individuals must self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to Oregon if they have traveled out of state for recreational purposes or as part of an athletic traveling team.
Music/Performing Arts
We are still waiting on clarifications from OHA and ODE when it comes to cohorting and in-person instruction methods for Performing Arts. Here are a few small updates on vocal music and the aerosol study:
Indoor singing is not recommended
Highlights of the Third Round of Results include:
§ Masks – Masks should be worn by students, and masks/bell covers should be on instruments and materials.
§ Distance – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distancing guidelines of 6 feet by 6 feet should be followed, with additional space (9 feet by 6 feet) for trombone players. The distancing guidelines apply for outdoors as well as indoors.
§ Time – Rehearsals should be limited to 30 minutes. Indoors, the room should be cleared, and leaders should wait until at least one HVAC air change has occurred before the next rehearsal.
§ Air Flow – Outdoor activity remains the best place for airflow. Indoors, HEPA filters are strongly recommended to increase the amount of clean air and the number of air changes per hour (ACH).
§ Hygiene – The strong emphasis continues on hygiene, including frequent handwashing, and cleaning of spit valves and storage areas.
