The CIF might open fields faster than we thought

Sports

Guadalupe Dominguez

Sports Editor

Student athletes and coaches across the state aren’t the only ones planning their return to campus. The California Interscholastic Federation-LA City Section has released their plan for sports to begin as soon as Feb. 19, 2021. 

After having had to put sports on hold due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in LA county the California Department of Health has released guidelines that are to be followed by both staff and athletes for a safe sports season. The CIF has been patiently waiting for the lifting of the “Safe at Home” order. Since the CIF’s last update Gov. Gavin Newsom has lifted both the Regional State Home Order and the Limited Stay Home Order. Their next updates will be released during the first week of February. 

The CIF has stated that they would still need a green light from multiple departments. For sports to begin they will need the approval from the California Department of Health and then get permission from the Los Angeles County Health Department. Having had those approvals it is up to both LAUSD and each school’s administration to decide whether or not they will be participating in sports. 

The CIF has divided sports teams into three tiers: purple, red, orange, and yellow. Sports put into the yellow tier are more restrictive than sports under the purple tier. Season 1 sports include cross country, water polo, football, and girls volleyball. Cross country is the only sport under the purple tier as of now. To know more about the schedule and tiers of each sport visit the Season 1 Sports Calendar. The calendar for the Season 2 sports still has not been released but the sports included in this season are basketball, cheer, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swim/dive, tennis, track and field, boys volleyball, and wrestling. 

Although athletes, coaches, and the CIF want sports to come back as soon as possible Vicky Lagos, CIF LA City Section Commissioner has made it clear that the wellbeing of athletes and coaches is CIF’s top priority, “We are committed to serving our member schools with our best interests in mind for safety and good health for all participants. We must continue to follow State and local health guidelines with hopes that we can return-to-play in the near future.”

To read the full CIF LA City Section Update click here.

For the Season 1 Sports Calendar here

To read the CIF COVID-19 Guidelines 1/12/2021 click here

For the California Department of Health COVID-19 Industry Guidance-Schools and School Based Programs click here

For the California Department of Health Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports click here

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