Galesburg Reporter

Illinois released new rules for youth and recreational sports as areas as the state continues lightening up on restrictions implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The Illinois Department of Public Health released its sports recommendations a few weeks ago. It placed each sport in one of three risk categories: lower, medium, or higher and a level from 1-4 determined by their region's rank.

The guidelines allow lower-risk sports to be played competitively if a region is in Phase 4 or Tier 1, while higher-risk sports in the same phase are only allowed intra-conference or intra-league play.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said he's listened to countless complaints about the need for sports from students, parents, and coaches.

"I take very seriously the value that recreational outlet offers the physical and mental health of our children," Ezike said during a January press conference as reported by NBC Chicago. "I also take very seriously, the need to protect them as do their parents and their coaches and the broader community."

The state requires masks to be worn while playing sports but imposed additional restrictions on specific sports.

A minimum 6-foot distance must be kept between baseball and softball players in dugouts. Only a limited number of bass anglers are allowed on a boat for social distancing. Bowlers must clean and sanitize equipment before and after each match, can't share equipment, and a reduced number of players per lane. There's minimized contact for competitive cheerleaders with stunts and lifts banned. Cross country runners need to limit the number of teams. Gymnasts are to clean equipment between each participant. Ice skaters must be solo or skate exclusively with one partner. Synchronized swimming is still banned, while swimmers are restricted to one lane in the pool.

Recreational golf and bowling were excluded from these new guidelines since they're included in a different set of rules.