Effective Friday, February 26, all OUTDOOR organized youth sports and recreation (including K-12 school programs, community sponsored recreational programs, and privately-organized clubs and leagues) involving “moderate” and “high-contact” between players will be permitted to resume in Orange County. This modification is permissible because Orange County’s COVID-19 case rate is less than 14 cases for every 100,000 residents. Below is a list of the permitted OUTDOOR youth sports (effective 2/26/21):
Outdoor Moderate-Contact Sports
- Badminton (doubles)
- Baseball
- Cheerleading
- Dodgeball
- Field hockey
- Gymnastics
- Kickball
- Lacrosse (girls/women)
- Pickleball (doubles)
- Softball
- Tennis (doubles)
- Volleyball
Outdoor High-Contact Sports
- Basketball
- Football
- Ice hockey
- Lacrosse (boys/men)
- Rugby
- Rowing/crew (with 2 or more people)
- Soccer
- Water polo
** Outdoor low-contact youth sports are already permitted in Orange County. Click on the following link for a list of the permitted low-contact youth sports: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/outdoor-indoor-recreational-sports.aspx
The wearing of face coverings while engaging in these sports is suggested; however, it is not required.
People over the age of 13 will be required to get tested every week to play or coach football, rugby, and water polo since high-contact sports likes this will likely be played without masks. Test results must be available within 24 hours of competitions, under the new guidelines. Other sports considered lower contact, including baseball, cheerleading and softball, will not have a testing requirement. The guidance also notes that competitions are permitted only between teams within the same county or from bordering counties where the sport is allowed. Only one competition, per team, per day is permitted.