LM Otero / Associated Press
the The University Interscholastic League has delayed the start of high school soccer for the two largest Texas conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Class 6A and 5A schools were originally scheduled to begin practices on August 3, but will have to wait until September 7, according to the Dallas Morning NewsCallie Caplan. As a result, their games will begin no earlier than September 24.
Texas UIL @ @uiltexas
Modified UIL activity calendar and COVID-19 guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year Press release ⬇️ https://t.co/sv3boFOD43 Complete risk mitigation guidelines COVID-19 ⬇️ https://t.co/o3qFFIZxrF More information about COVID-19 ⬇️ https://t.co/lE7fRyRbWY https://t.co/vuWybpYVQ8
Caplan noted that Class 4A and below schools may start practices on time, but may still be subject to local coronavirus-related restrictions. Dallas County, for example, has suspended all high school sports until September 7.
Under the current plan, the Class 6A and 5A playoffs would continue through January. Traditionally they end at Christmas.
UIL EExecutive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt released a statement on the measure:
“Our goal in launching this plan is to provide a path forward for Texas students and schools. While understanding of situations changes and there will likely be disruptions that will require flexibility and patience, we hope that this plan will allow students to participate in education activities they love in a way that prioritizes safety and mitigates the risk of spreading COVID-19. “
Texas Governor Greg Abbott began slowly reversing coronavirus-related measures statewide in April. Reflecting the broader trend across the country, Texas began to see an upward trend in confirmed cases as the summer unfolded. Authorities confirmed 7,404 new cases Monday, totaling 332,434.
The state of California is experiencing a similar increase in the pandemic. The California Interscholastic Federation announced Monday that it will delay the fall 2020 sports season until the spring of 2021.
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