June 2, 2021
Dear Club and League Representatives:
Our return-to-play (RTP) guidelines and tournament best practices have been updated to reflect the relaxation of COVID related restrictions in Michigan. As of June 1, there are no more capacity restrictions on outdoor gatherings. In addition, youth sports participants are no longer required to maintain 6 feet of distance while not actively playing their sport. A mask mandate is still in effect for unvaccinated individuals who are indoors. While face masks are not required outdoors, MDHHS strongly recommends that individuals who are not fully vaccinated remain masked while participating in contact sports activities outdoors.
The weekly testing requirement (SARS-CoV-2) of unvaccinated athletes (ages 13-19) is still required for participation in organized sports, including youth (club) soccer through July 1, 2021. Thus, unvaccinated participants (ages 13-19) can only participate in organized sports with proof of a negative diagnostic test (antigen or RT-PCR) on at least a weekly basis. Fully vaccinated persons are not subject to these weekly testing requirements, unless they have COVID-19-like symptoms. ‘Fully vaccinated persons’ means persons for whom at least two weeks has passed after receiving the final dose of an FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, participants who have recovered from confirmed COVID-19 in the past three months (and who remain symptom-free) are also not subject to the weekly testing requirements, if they can provide the appropriate ‘proof’ or doctor’s letter as described in the MDHHS Interim Guidance for Athletics.
For participants with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or possible exposure to COVID-19, the local health department (LHD) is likely to initiate contact tracing for individuals who may have been in close contact with a positive case. Quarantine periods for close contacts are determined by, and at the discretion of, the local health department (LHD).
Governor Whitmer has stated that after July 1, the broad indoor mask mandate will expire and the state will no longer limit capacity at indoor or outdoor gatherings.
Sincerely,
Thomas Faro
Executive Director
cc.: MSYSA Board of Directors
