Today Nevada County Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Kellermann released a Health Officer Order directed at school administrators outlining safe practices for indoor youth sports. The Order requires a minimum of twice a week testing, at least two days apart, if participants will not be wearing masks while playing. The Order will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on December 9, 2021.
The new Health Officer Order defers to the California Department of Public Health guidance for schools released on November 24, 2021 for all other extracurricular activities. According to this CDPH guidance:
- Masks are required indoors at all times for teachers, referees, officials, coaches, and other support staff, as well as for spectators and observers.
- Masks are required indoors at all times when participants are not actively practicing, conditioning, competing, or performing.
- Masks are required indoors while on the sidelines, in team meetings, and within locker rooms and weight rooms.
- When actively practicing, conditioning, or competing in indoor sports, masks are required by participants even during heavy exertion, as practicable. If masks are not worn due to heavy exertion, CDPH strongly recommends that individuals undergo screening testing at least once weekly.
The Nevada County Health Officer Order provides requirements and general public health recommendations for optional organized youth sports, including all types of programs that occur on school grounds (e.g., before or after school, on school campuses, public or private) or involve school students (regardless of the activity’s location) that are not part of a required educational curriculum. The Order does not address other extracurricular activities that are addressed in the CDPH guidance. The CDPH guidance stands for activities that are not sports.
Nevada County continues to have high community transmission of COVID-19. As of November 30, 2021, the case rate was 17.1 per 100,000 compared to the state rate of 9.5/100,000. The purpose of the Order is to control and reduce the rate of community spread and to reinforce the need for safe interactions. The Public Health Officer will continue to assess the public health situation as it evolves and may modify the Order, or issue additional Orders, related to COVID-19, as changing circumstances dictate.
The Nevada County Public Health Department continues to recommend vaccination as a safe and effective method of preventing serious illness due to COVID-19. All Californians age 5 and older are eligible for free COVID-19 vaccinations. Learn more about your vaccination options at MyNevadaCounty.com/GetVaccinated or by calling 211 Connecting Point at 1-833-DIAL211.
