BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — New guidance from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office says that high-risk high school sports can resume competitions as early as February 1st once given clearance by local health officials.
The following sports are considered high-risk in New York State
- football
- wrestling
- ice hockey
- rugby
- basketball
- contact lacrosse
- volleyball
- martial arts
- competitive cheer
- group dance
- other sports and recreation activities with similar abilities to maintain physical distance and/or limit exposure to shared equipment prior to such equipment being cleaned and disinfected
The guidance says local health authorities should consider the following factors in authorizing or continuing to prohibit higher risk sports and recreational activities as, in many areas, these factors may weigh against permitting such activities
- whether there has been a more-transmissible variant of COVID-19 identified in the area
- local rates of COVID-19 transmission or rate of positivity
- local ability to monitor and enforce compliance.
Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton shared the following statement with 7 Eyewitness News
The Niagara County Health Department was just made aware of the states updated guidance on high school sports this afternoon. We are currently reviewing it and will be better position to make decisions next week. It is also important that we have consistency between the counties across our region to the extent possible.
7 Eyewitness News has reached out to the Erie County Department of Health for more clarification, but we've yet to hear back.
You can read the updated guidance by clicking here.
