The Missouri State High School Activities Association released an eight-page document Wednesday for high schools as guidelines and recommendations in preparation for the opening of fall sports next month during the coronavirus pandemic.
The document was put together by the MSHSAA Board of Directors and the MSHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
One of the highlights from the document is MSHSAA recommended each school designate an individual, or individuals, to implement screening in order to participate in school activities.
Coaches and players will have their temperature checked before each practice, although the guidelines say temperatures can be checked at home, and that documentation is then presented at the screening. Coaches and players are required to wear a mask or face covering until their screenings are completed.
Those with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be moved indoors for a five-minute period, and then have their temperature retaken. If it is still 100.4 degrees or higher, it will be considered a positive screen, and the individual will be sent home.
A positive screen will result in a 14-day quarantine period. Players and coaches can return to participation with "written clearance by a healthcare provider, documentation of a negative test outcome or after a 14-day quarantine period."
If the person is confirmed to have COVID-19, all participants who had close contact with that person "should be excluded from practice and play for 14 days."
Regarding practice and game participation this fall, MSHSAA continues to take the same stance it did in mid-March, when athletic events were halted by coronavirus.
If schools are closed statewide, games and practices will not take place.
If schools have in-person learning, they will be permitted to have practices and participate in games.
If schools are offering only virtual education, they cannot hold practices or participate in games.
If a majority of schools are having in-person learning, efforts will be made to have a regular season and a postseason.
Athletes will still be required to have a valid physical on file ahead of their participation in fall sports. MSHSAA also said athletes should be required to bring and fill their own water bottles. Athletic gatherings should adhere to guidelines from local and state health departments.
MSHSAA also offered guidelines for social distancing at sporting events. Schools will be encouraged to livestream athletic competitions in an attempt to reduce in-person attendance. In addition, teams will be urged to maintain social distancing on the sidelines and benches.
Other recommendations from MSHSAA are that "vulnerable individuals should not participate in any practices contests or events," and masks or face coverings should be worn when athletes are not engaged in "strenuous physical exertion."
Monday, Aug. 10, is the first day of high school fall sports practice in Missouri. The first eligible day for athletic contests is Friday, Aug. 28.