L.A. Unified School District sports teams are cleared to resume playing Saturday

After ordering a one-week pause in the sports season while evaluating the surge in coronavirus cases, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced Friday in an email to schools that its sports teams can resume their seasons beginning Saturday.

LAUSD students returned to campuses Tuesday after extensive testing of students and teachers. The district stopped competitions and required practices to take place outside with masks.

Protocols and steps for competing have been revised and must be followed. Masks will need to be worn by indoor athletes and coaches and also are required for “moderate and high-risk outdoor sports where distancing is not possible.” There will be a seven-day suspension of team activities for any team that has an outbreak of four or more cases over a 14-day period. Staff must wear a “surgical-style disposable mask.” Cloth mask may not be worn by itself.

Basketball teams had been waiting for direction from the district because teams wanted to play this weekend. On Monday, one-day tournaments celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day are scheduled. Also schools may reschedule league games postponed this past week.

Santa Barbara Unified has also given clearance for its sports teams to resume competitions.