Team sport practices allowed to resume in Washington

With an ongoing increase in coronavirus cases throughout the state, Governor Jay Inslee has revised his previous guidance regarding indoor gyms and fitness facilities.

In the August 3 guidance, Inslee detailed a new set of rules for those wanting to participate in contact sports.

“High and medium contact sports such as hockey, soccer, cheerleading, dance, and basketball are limited to practice” with no games, spectators, or competitions allowed. All practices are limited to groups of five people, not including the coach or trainer. If applicable, a minimum of six feet of physical distance must be maintained with no physical contact.

“In low contact sports, such as tennis and volleyball, practices and competitions are allowed, but participants are limited to no more than five per court and no spectators are allowed for either practice or competitions.”

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In addition to new sports guidance, the proclamation states that those exercising indoors should continue wearing a face covering as well as increase their distancing requirement from six feet to 300 square feet per person, except while practicing certain team sports.

Occupancies and distancing requirements will be displayed in every room in the facility. “For large facilities, occupancy is limited to 25 percent of the facility’s occupancy limit, as determined by the fire code.”

Showers, hot-tubs, saunas, steam rooms, tanning beds, squash courts, and racquetball courts will remain closed, while locker room use will be limited to use for handwashing and restrooms only.