This document provides information on what factors to consider when assessing risk, and considerations for how sports organizations and individuals who manage settings in which sports are played can help protect players, participants, and communities. As communities and organizations begin to increase sports activities, this document is intended to supplement the requirements for Recreational Sports outlined in Executive Order 72 and the accompanying Phase Three Guidance for Recreational Sports.
Individuals who participate in, attend, or organize sports activities should consider the potential level of risk for transmitting COVID-19 associated with certain sports before deciding to participate in recreational sports. COVID-19 is spread by close contact between infectious individuals (who may or may not be symptomatic). In line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Considerations for Youth Sports, VDH recommends that participants and organizers of sports activities consider the following to help assess the risk of spread during a particular sport:
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- Physical closeness of players, and the length of time that players are close to each other or to staff.
- Amount of necessary touching of shared equipment and gear (e.g., protective gear, balls, bats, racquets, mats, or water bottles).
- Ability to engage in social distancing while not actively engaged in play (e.g., during practice, on the sideline, or in the dugout).
- Age of the player.
- Players at higher risk of developing serious disease.
- Size of the team. Nonessential visitors, spectators, volunteers. Limit any nonessential visitors, spectators, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations.
- Travel outside of the local community.
- Setting in which the sport is typically played (e.g. indoors vs. outdoors).

During times of substantial COVID-19 activity in a community, participating in recreational sports that involve close contact with others may increase risk of COVID-19 transmission and is not advisable. This is especially true with large events. Consider the extent of community transmission in a region/locality when deciding whether to participate. During times of significantly increasing disease spread, organizers of such events should consider cancelling or postponing competition in favor of lesser risk activities such as low-contact drills or practices.
During times of substantial COVID-19 activity VDH strongly advises athletes to wear masks at all times during group training, competition, and on the sidelines. There is strong evidence to show that mask use prevents the spread of COVID-19, which is also recommended Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. We also know that participating in sports has both physical and psychological health benefits. Risks from the virus can be decreased if athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators follow public health guidelines.
Wearing masks is especially important during indoor competition and practices. Wearing masks is also important in shared spaces such as locker rooms, and during shared transportation (including carpooling) to/from an event. Masks should also be worn by coaches, officials, spectators and volunteers at all times and coaches and/or officials should monitor proper use. Individual outdoor sports that do not involve close contact (e.g. golf, singles tennis, etc) may not necessitate wearing a mask. Masks are generally well tolerated by the majority of persons who wear them during exercise; however the masks may need to be removed under certain circumstances (e.g. if the masks become wet). There are some sports in which the mask could become a choking hazard or inadvertently impair vision and should not be worn, such as cheerleading-tumbling/stunting, gymnastics, wrestling and water sports.
If wearing a mask makes participation in sports difficult, it is advisable not to participate in sports at this time.
Travel outside of a local community and participating in large events such as tournaments may increase risk of COVID-19 transmission. Consider the extent of community transmission in a region/locality when deciding whether to participate in or host a tournament or similar event. Localities or regions experiencing substantial COVID-19 transmission should consider delaying or cancelling large events. Individuals at high risk or whose family members are at high risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19 should especially consider avoiding travel to areas experiencing substantial transmission.
COVID-19 is also spread off the field. Close contact in locker rooms, in carpooling, or in other confined spaces are high-risk situations, and should be avoided to the extent possible. Pre-game meetings and post-game ceremonies should be avoided or modified to allow proper distancing. Handshakes, fist bumps, and other gestures involving close physical contact should be avoided. Some large events such as marathons and large sports tournaments have attractions such as live music or food vendors. These additional attractions should be discouraged to minimize large gatherings, and race organizers should encourage people not to congregate at the start and finish of races.
Indoor environments are higher risk environments for spreading COVID-19. While being outside does not remove the risk of transmitting COVID-19, indoor spaces are higher risk environments for spreading COVID-19 than outdoor environments. This is especially true if spaces are crowded or have poor ventilation. Spectators or other attendees/participants who are shouting and cheering, or having additional activities such as a pep band may increase the risk of spreading COVID-19, and are an additional concern in indoor environments. Prioritize outdoor play, as opposed to indoor, as much as possible.
Additional Considerations:
People involved in recreational sports (including family/household members) should consider their household’s level of risk and interaction with other at risk populations when determining whether to participate in recreational sports. Factors that place people (including household members) at higher risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 include older age and certain medical conditions. Additionally, there may be increased risk to others outside of the household if a household member routinely comes into close contact with elderly persons, provides professional caregiving, or works in congregate settings.
- All participants and spectators should maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance to the greatest extent possible. Exercise and activities like cheering and shouting increase respiration and can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19 in recreational sports settings and therefore may benefit from additional distancing (e.g. 10 feet). Spectators and athletes who are not actively playing should sit at least six feet apart. Sports that can be modified to increase the distance between participants in practice or in play are encouraged.
- Disinfect shared items between each use, to the extent practicable.
- Expand screening questions to include questions about symptoms of others in their household. Participants, officials, coaches and others should be strongly encouraged to remain home and not attend practice/competition if they have signs/symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have known exposure to an individual with COVID-19. A sample screening form can be found here.
- To improve physical distancing, limit occupancy in training facilities and locker rooms by staggering training sessions and pre-game preparation.
- Limit carpooling when traveling for competition or to practices. When group transportation is required, reduce vehicle occupancy to allow for the greatest distance possible between persons not of the same household and require individuals to wear a mask while being transported.
- Establish policies for pre- and post-game activities that discourage close contact between players, coaches, and families not of the same household, including when participants are sharing living facilities.
To assist organizers in assessing potential risk of recreational sports play, VDH proposes the following examples of how some sports might be categorized by risk, assuming usual competitive play. The intent of this list is not to imply the endorsement or prohibition of the play of particular sports, but to categorize sports based on anticipated risk within the sport itself and/or associated with the setting in which the sport is usually played. VDH acknowledges that play can sometimes be modified to mitigate risk and encourages these modifications where reasonable, practical, and appropriate. It is possible that public health officials may advise cancellation of competition, practices with no distancing modifications, or a large sports event if community transmission is increased or in the context of an outbreak associated with a sports team or sporting event.
Higher Risk: Sports competition involving close, sustained contact with others and high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants.
Examples:
- Wrestling
- Lacrosse
- Football
- Competitive cheerleading
- Rugby
- Martial arts competition
- Indoor basketball
- Ice hockey
Moderate Risk: Sports competition involving but with protective equipment in place that may reduce the likelihood of respiratory particle transmission between participants OR intermittent close contact OR group sports OR sports that use equipment that can’t be cleaned between participants.
Examples:
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Field Hockey
- Volleyball
- Crew/rowing/kayaking with 2+ rowers in a shell/boat
- Softball
- Group running
- Group cycling
Lower Risk: Sports that can be done with social distancing or individually and no shared equipment, or the ability to clean the equipment between use by competitors.
Examples:
- Individual swimming
- Tennis
- Golf
- Diving
- Fencing
- Select track and field events
- American Academy of Pediatrics webpage: COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports.
- For information about public high school sports in Virginia, visit the Virginia High School League (VHSL) website
- CDC Considerations for Youth Sports
Phase 3 Guidelines describe mandatory requirements for participants and organizers of recreational sports that include requirements for signage, capacity limits, and health screenings. At this time, the total number of spectators in indoor venues cannot exceed the lesser of 30% of the occupancy load of the certificate of occupancy for the venue, if applicable, or 25 spectators per field. For outdoor venues there may be up to two spectators per player.
Races or marathons may have up to 250 participants, provided staggered starts separate runners into groups of 25 or less.