Region 5 scales back to Tier 2 mitigations, IDPH ok’s low-risk sports competition to begin again

Friday the Illinois Department of Public Health moved Region 5 (Southern Illinois) back to Tier 2 mitigations. Additionally, IDPH has updated their high school sports guidelines to reflect the move in to Tier 2 mitigations.

Schools in Region 5 may now have competitions in lower-risk sports, such as bowling, cheer, dance, gymnastics, or swimming & diving.

Regions in Illinois that have scaled back to Tier 2 mitigations are allowed to hold competitions in lower-risk sports within their conference or region at this point. Medium-risk sports are allowed to begin having intra-team scrimmages and high-risk sports may hold practice but they must be no-contact.

UPDATE:

In an email to administrators, IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said the following regarding IDPH’s decision:

“In summary, Regions 1, 2 and 5 have met the metrics established by IDPH to move out of Tier 3 mitigations. All other regions remain under the current Tier 3 mitigation limits at this time. For schools in regions 1, 2 and 5, that now fall into Tier 2, below are the allowances for winters sports for IHSA schools located in Regions with Tier 2 mitigations:

WINTER SPORTS FOR SCHOOLS IN TIER 2 REGION

Low-Risk Sports: Can begin practice immediately and being competition on future date to be determined by IHSA Board.

Medium-Risk Sports: May begin contact days with scrimmages immediately.

High-Risk Sports: May begin individual workouts immediately.

Starting Monday, January 25, 2021 contact days are permitted in the regions no longer under Tier 3 mitigations. All contact days must be conducted under the rules of the IDPH All Sports Policy based on their risk level.”