LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled the "MI Safe Schools Roadmap" for students to return to school in the fall. It outlines requirements and suggestions for schools depending on what phase the region is in.
Related: READ HERE: State releases 'MI Safe Schools Roadmap' for kids to return to school
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It also talks about requirements and recommendations for school athletics broken down by phase.
Related: Michigan unveils 'MI Safe Schools Roadmap' plan for students to return to school in the fall
In Phases 1-3, all athletics will be suspended. As of June 30, all of the state is in either Phase 4 or phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan, which means athletics would be able to happen.
In phase 4, all of the things below are required:
- Comply with all guidance published by Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
- Students, teachers, and staff must use proper hand hygiene techniques before and after every practice, event, or other gathering. Every participant should confirm that they are healthy and without any symptoms prior to any event.
- All equipment must be disinfected before and after use.
- Inter-school competitions may be held provided that, facial coverings are worn if school transportation is provided. Buses must be cleaned and disinfected before and after every use, as detailed in the subsequent “Busing and Student Transportation” section.
- Spectators are allowed provided that facial coverings are used by observers and six feet of social distancing can be maintained at all times. Attention must given to entry and exit points to prevent crowding.
- Each participant must use a clearly marked water bottle for individual use. There should be no sharing of this equipment.
- Handshakes, fist bumps, and other unnecessary contact must not occur.
- Indoor weight rooms and physical conditioning activities that require shared equipment are suspended. Outdoor physical conditioning activities are allowed while maintaining social distancing.
- Large scale indoor spectator events are suspended. Large scale outdoor spectator or stadium events are limited to 100 people, and people not part of the same household must maintain six feet of distance from one another
In Phase 5, all of the things below will be "strongly recommended."
- Indoor spectator events are limited to 50 people. Large scale outdoor spectator or stadium events are limited to 250 people. Spectators not part of the same household must always maintain six feet of distance from one another.
- Students, teachers, and staff must use proper hand hygiene techniques before and after every practice, event, or other gathering. Every participant should confirm that they are healthy and without any symptoms prior to any event.
- All equipment must be disinfected before and after use.
- Buses must be cleaned and disinfected before and after every use, as detailed in the subsequent “Busing and Student Transportation” section.
- Each participant should use a clearly marked water bottle for individual use. There should be no sharing of this equipment.
In Phase 5, the things below will be "recommended."
- Indoor weight rooms and physical conditioning activities are allowed. Social distancing of six feet between participants should be maintained while indoors and sharing equipment should be avoided.
- Handshakes, fist bumps, and other unnecessary contact should not occur.
Under Phase 6, safety protocols will no longer be required.
You can read the entire plan below.
Michigan unveils plan for students to return to school in the fall by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
