GAINESVILLE — The Hall County School District announced on Tuesday that it will allow student-athletes to return for conditioning/workouts beginning on June 8.
"In accordance with regulations and guidance set forth by the Georgia High School Association, the Hall County School District will allow student-athletes to participate in conditioning sessions under the supervision of certified Hall County School District employees beginning on June 8, 2020," Director of Communications and Athletics Stan Lewis said. "These summer sessions are strictly voluntary."
Training sessions will be limited to outside areas or in gymnasiums and no balls or sports-specific equipment will be allowed.
In addition to the training restrictions, the school district said all student-athletes and coaches will be screened upon arrival to campus, including a temperature check and health survey as well as social distancing will be adhered to at all times and there will be no spectators allowed during sessions.
Lewis also said Hall County will limit conditioning sessions "on our campuses to only middle and high school sports programs."
"We value and appreciate our partnerships with Hall County Parks and Leisure and local youth football leagues; however, due to health concerns within the Hall County community, we are limiting conditioning sessions on our campuses at this time to middle and high school sports programs," he said.
Our hope is that the health situation in our community and across the state of Georgia will improve; thus, leading to a decrease/reduction in restrictions and limitations. We appreciate our stakeholders’ patience, understanding, and cooperation."
Parents with questions or concerns regarding Phase 1 should contact their school's athletics director.
The district also is putting together a plan to allow band students to return on June 8 as well.
"As with athletics, there will be restrictions and limitations based on guidance from health officials," he said. "Details regarding a return to band activities will be released to parents later this week."
Hall County School District: COVID-19 RETURN TO ATHLETICS TRAINING GUIDELINES
- All training sessions in Phase 1 will take place outside or in gymnasiums.
- Workouts will be strength and conditioning only, no balls or sport-specific equipment.
- Each school will follow the HCSD Infectious Disease Prevention Plan.
- Staff and student-athletes will be screened prior to each workout (temperature checks and health survey).
- Training groups will consist of 20 participants, including coaches.
- Groups will be the same individuals (including coaches) for each session in order to limit the risk of exposure. Student-athletes and coaches CANNOT change groups for the duration of this guidance.
- Locker rooms and shower facilities are closed. Student-athletes should report to the facility dressed to train and should shower at home.
- Equipment will be cleaned prior to each workout and sanitized between individual student-athlete use.
- Each student-athlete should have their own personal water bottle. The use of water fountains or other shared sources is not allowed.
- Social distancing will be adhered to at all times.
- A wait time of at least 15 minutes will be scheduled between training sessions to allow for disinfecting the facility and equipment.
- No visitors are allowed at training sessions.
