IDOE Releases Recommendations For Schools


Phase II: July 20-August 15

● All State and local guidelines for group limitations must be followed and social

distancing is encouraged.

● Any student who prefers to wear a face covering for activities should be allowed, if

doing so will not cause a health risk.

● Students, when not engaging in vigorous activity and when practical, should wear face

coverings.

● Non-students, including coaches, medical-related staff, directors, security staff,

supervisors, etc. should wear face coverings at all times unless under rigorous activity or

poses a health risk.

● Only essential student athletes, student participants, coaches, medical staff, related

supervisors, directors, and security should be in attendance.

● Consideration should be given to vulnerable individuals and it is encouraged for those

individuals to seek medical guidance regarding his/her individual level of participation.

● An alternate command structure for coaching staff should be established in case of

illness.

● Prior to participation, all first-time student athletes are required to have an IHSAA

pre-participation physical for the upcoming school year. Returning student athletes are

not required to obtain a new IHSAA pre-participation physical, but should provide a

2020-21 IHSAA Health History Update Questionnaire and Consent & Release Certificate

prior to participation.

● All students and staff should be trained and screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19

prior to participating in workouts, rehearsals, or practices.

○ Any person with COVID-19-related symptoms should not be allowed to take part

in workouts, rehearsals, or practices and should contact his or her primary care

provider or other appropriate healthcare professional.

The State website has a list of over 200 testing facilities, their location

and hours of operation. This list is updated frequently.

○ Any person with a positive COVID-19 test shall trigger the established

predetermined thresholds for mitigation strategies by following ISDH's

recommendation to work with your local health department in following the CDC

guidance which can be found here.

○ Coaches must track COVID-19 impacted attendance and report to district/school

administration.

○ Follow specific return to school protocol in reference to participation for student

athletes or staff members who no longer test positive and/or no longer display

symptoms of COVID-19.

○ Districts/schools are encouraged to post signs displaying symptoms to educate

students.

● Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm water

and soap before touching any surfaces or participating. If this is not possible, hand

sanitizer should be plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place

to place.

● If locker rooms or meeting rooms are used, 50 percent capacity is recommended.

● Gathering sizes should be decreased as much as possible to reduce risk.

Workouts should be conducted in defined, smaller groups of students with the

same students always together. Reduce gathering size by half capacity in large

areas (weight room, band rooms, wrestling rooms, etc.).

● The goal of social distancing is defined by the CDC. If it is not possible to follow these

guidelines indoors or outdoors, then create as much distance as possible. It is

recommended that participants and coaches wear face coverings when distancing is

limited and the individual is not participating in rigorous activity. For sidelines,

benches, or other holding areas, consider establishing protocol as a guide for students

and coaches.

● Consider scheduling adjustments to reduce the number of events, duration, and/or

participants present.

● Contact is allowed as defined by Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA).

● Cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all facilities and

equipment to mitigate any communicable diseases. Review the plan and supply

inventory to thoroughly clean and disinfect prior to and after usage following CDC,

EPA, and OSHA guidelines. The plan should be clear on who cleans and appropriate

training and PPE is provided for such.

● School activities using off-site, non-school owned facilities and equipment for

related activities should work with the off-site facility provider to ensure the

associated and relevant safety measures are in place. If transporting to-and-from

workouts, rehearsals, or practices, transportation safety measures and cleaning

regarding team or group transportation must be followed.

● Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times to minimize transmission.

● No sharing of clothing, shoes, towels, or water bottles.

● Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available at all times.

● If equipment must be shared, including sports balls, weight room facilities,

non-wind instruments, etc., should be cleaned prior to use and immediately

following usage. Responsibility for cleaning should be clear and appropriate

training and PPE should be provided.

● Any equipment such as weight benches, athletic pads, etc. having holes with exposed

foam should be covered or discarded.

● Students must be expected to shower at school or at home and wash workout

clothing immediately upon returning to their home. If a student does not have a

laundered uniform, he/she may not be allowed to participate in practice or

competition.

● If schools launder student gear or uniforms, PPE must be available for the person in

charge of laundering.

● Free weight exercises requiring a spotter can be conducted. Safety measures in all

forms must be strictly enforced in the weight room.

● Celebratory and sportsmanship acts that involve contact should be prohibited.

● Shared hydration stations (water trough, water fountains, water hose, etc.) should not

be utilized except for filling individual, labeled water bottles.

● Pool usage is acceptable. Schools should take necessary steps to promote health

and safety both in the water and out by social distancing and using good hygiene.

○ State and local guidelines that may determine when and how recreational water

facilities may operate should be followed.

● No formal competition is allowed with the exception of girls golf.