JUDGE ACCEPTS DEAL; PREPS ARE ALL SET FOR A RETURN TO ACTION

Schools must follow guidelines set up in order to keep playing

The court case of Gardinera and Woolsey vs. the State of California, et al., came to a close late Friday afternoon when San Diego Superior Court Judge Earl Maas signed off on a settlement. Now it’s full speed ahead for high school and youth sports in California ... as long as the new guidelines as set down by the California Department of Public Health are followed.

In this COVID-19 era, CDPH guidelines govern all organized sports and recreation, including school- and community-sponsored programs, privately organized clubs and leagues, and recreational youth and adult sports.

“There are some minor, fine-tuning details to be worked out, but generally it’s clear as how we’re to proceed,” said San Diego Section CIF Commissioner Joe Heinz.

Outdoor high-risk sports such as football and water polo can be played in counties with adjusted COVID-19 case rates of 14 or lower per 100,000, as long as there is testing. If a county reaches 7 cases or lower per 100,000, no testing is necessary.

San Diego County was at 10.8 cases per 100,000 this week.

Indoor high-risk sports such as basketball and volleyball can start practice as scheduled March 13 in counties at 14 cases or fewer, but must follow the testing guidelines until case rates drop to one case per 100,000, which is unlikely.

“The big takeaway is that schools must develop a testing plan,” Heinz said.

“Testing for indoor sports is going to be a challenge, but I think we can get it done.”

The CDPH’s general guidelines for all sports include:

• Face coverings when not participating.

• Face coverings to be worn by coaches, support staff and observers.

• No sharing of drink bottles or personal items.

• Teams must not participate in out-of-state games and tournaments.

• Regular and postseason antigen or PCR testing of sports participants and coaches weekly while participating in outdoor high-contact sports is strongly encouraged.

• If competing, testing performed with test results

made available within 24 hours of play.

The team box for football has been extended from the 10-yard line to 10-yard line to allow for social distancing. Coaches, however, must stay between the 30-yard lines.

The number of fans — or if fans will be allowed at all — at games is up to each school district.

The State CIF Office issued a press release late Friday, backing the CDPH’s points.

“We’re full go in all sports — outdoor and indoor — as long as schools follow the CDPH guidance,” Heinz said.

“It’s up to individual schools if they want to participate.”

Nicholas Gardinera and Cameron Woolsey, football players from Scripps Ranch High and Mission Hills High, filed a lawsuit last month against the county of San Diego, CDPH and Gov. Gavin Newsom, seeking the return of prep sports here.

A statewide settlement was announced Thursday.