Lincoln Youth Sports Can Resume Monday

Lincoln, NE (December 3, 2020) The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department today announced that, following a three-week postponement, youth sports and activities may resume Monday, December 7 with new and strengthened protocols in place to protect the health and safety of all those involved. Those who operate, coach or supervise K-12 extracurricular group activities as well as facilities that host the activities will be required to submit an “Extracurricular Activity Plan” to LLCHD and will be required to report any COVID-19 cases to LLCHD.   

 A template, sample plan, and guidance document is available on the “Business Resources” page at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. LLCHD staff will review plans quickly to allow extracurricular activities to resume once the plans are approved. 

  More information will be shared at the Mayor’s regular weekly news briefing scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Friday. 

The COVID-19 Risk Dial remains in red, indicating that the risk of the virus spreading is severe. Health Director Pat Lopez said the pause on youth sports and activities was necessary to prevent the spread of the virus as schools, organizations, coaches, and activity participants worked with LLCHD to re-evaluate, strategize, and prepare for a safe return.  

 “Thank you to all those schools and organizations that have worked with us to develop protocols to protect all those involved and their families,” Lopez said. “Requiring teams to have plans and to report COVID-19 cases are critical steps for reducing the spread of the virus in our community. ”