AUGUSTA — The Maine Principals’ Association has released guidance on resuming high school athletics in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The plan is broken down into four phases: Phase 1 will be July 6-19, Phase 2 will be July 20 to Aug. 2, Phase 3 will be Aug. 3 to Aug. 16 and Phase 4 does not have an official start date. 

Attached to this story is a copy of the full PDF issued by the MPA to schools, courtesy WABI. The document contains an information sheet for athletes, an information sheet for coaches, a sample screening tool, a sample athletic facility disinfectant protocol and commonly asked COVID-19 questions and answers pertaining to athletics. 

The guidance document outlines screening procedures to identify individuals with potential symptoms of COVID-19.  

Phase One Guidelines

Use of outdoor facilities only. 

Coaches must track attendance of each student and adult daily.

Students and/or adults who have symptoms of COVID-19 illness or feel sick must stay home and only return with medical clearance.

Students and/or adults who have symptoms after arriving at a training session must leave the site and only return with medical clearance.

Student groups or “pods” of 10 or less need to be assigned and names recorded.

Students stay in their “pod” for the duration of Phase 1.

All students and adults should maintain proper social distancing of six feet. 

Face masks/coverings are recommended when appropriate, and as much as possible. When not engaging in physical activity (such as on the bench, during chalk talks, interacting with trainers, etc) face coverings should be worn. Coaches, officials and other contest personnel should always wear cloth face coverings. 

Artificial noisemakers such as an air horn or timer system with an alarm are encouraged as a replacement for whistles. 

Activities are to be limited to conditioning, strength training, and agility. No sport specific equipment or skill activity is allowed.

Limit of one hour of activities per student per day.

Students should bring their own water bottle. No sharing of water bottles allowed.

Disinfectants and hand sanitizers should be available on site.

Students and adults should practice frequent hand washing when in contact with others or with equipment (jump ropes, weights, etc.)

Any equipment used should be sanitized after each individual use. 

Phase Two Guidleines. 

Use of indoor and outdoor facilities

Coaches should continue to track attendance of each student and adult daily.

Students and/or adults who have symptoms of COVID-19 illness or feel sick must stay home and only return with medical clearance.

Students and/or adults who have symptoms after arriving at a training session must leave the site and only return with medical clearance.

Use of outdoor and/or indoor (such as weight rooms, gyms, and wrestling rooms) facilities allowed.

Student groups or “pods” of 10 or less (indoors), but up to 50 students allowed in designated areas (outdoors).

Students stay in their “pod” for the duration of Phase 2.

All participants and adults should maintain proper social distancing.

Face masks/coverings are recommended when appropriate, and as much as possible. When not engaging in physical activity (such as on the bench, during chalk talks, interacting with trainers, etc) face coverings should be worn. Coaches, officials and other contest personnel should always wear cloth face coverings. 

Artificial noisemakers such as an air horn or timer system with an alarm are encouraged as a replacement for whistles. 

Activities are to be limited to conditioning, strength training, agility, and individual skill development. Individual sport specific activities and equipment will be allowed, such as individual dribbling and shooting. No form of competition (including 1v1 drills) is allowed. 

Limit of two hours of activities per student per day.

Students should bring their own water bottles. No sharing of water bottles or other personal items allowed. 

Disinfectants and hand sanitizers should be available on site.

Students and adults should practice frequent hand washing when in contact with others or with equipment (jump ropes, weights, etc.). 

Any equipment used should be sanitized after each individual use. 

Phase 3 and Phase 4 guidance has yet to be released.