NC high school sports can return today; CMS won’t start back up until July 6

CHARLOTTE — The North Carolina High School Athletic Association will lift its COVID-19 dead period on June 15, the group announced on Monday.

[PHASE 1: NCHSAA return to play guidelines during coronavirus]

Teams at more than 400 schools will be able to start summer activities next Monday, however, the NCHSAA says superintendents and local boards of education will ultimately decide when activities can resume.

The NCHSAA will allow high school sports to resume in the state after a months-long death period because of the coronavirus. The announcement will end a 94-day dead period for high school sports caused by the pandemic, and comes as the NCHSAA releases strict guidelines for returning to play.

The guidance utilizes a three-phase plan intended to help schools and athletic administrators navigate the gradual reopening of high school sports.

Channel 9 learned Monday afternoon that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools sent an email informing coaches that CMS athletes won’t start again until July 6.

CMS said the extra few weeks will allow them to put procedures in place, train staff and make sure the necessary equipment is ready to go.

Cabarrus County Schools said they also will not start voluntary workouts until July 6. Iredell-Statesville Schools said it would start workouts, but it would be following very strict guidelines.

Guidelines from the NCHSAA largely fall in line with guidelines previously released by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

All sports will be allowed to resume limited workouts on June 15, but restrictions will be in place to prevent physical contact and shared equipment. Schools will also need to provide hand sanitizer and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

The plan is a phased resumption, and guidelines have only been released for phase one. The guidelines apply to all sports and students must complete a physical examination form, initial screening questions, and a daily monitoring form in able to participate. Plans for phase two and three will be released in the coming weeks, the NCHSAA said.

The NCHSAA will keep in place the dead period the week of July 4, but the dead period surrounding the N.C. Coaches Association clinic has been canceled for one year.

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