From Dr. Robin Hines, GHSA
Dear All:

As we are navigating through this most unusual year, I want to address a couple of COVID-19 issues that have come up in a few occasions.
1. Be open regarding your quarantine situation, if there is one, with your opponent prior to the contest. Share your plan with your opponent if requested and it is expected that all plans comply with the DPH. The Department of Public Health should at a minimum be aware of your plan to ensure compliance. If the GHSA is asked to intervene in a COVID-19 situation, the basis of the decision will be based on whether or not the DPH was involved in the plan or determines that it is within the guidance offered.

2. If you have an athlete test positive for COVID-19 after a contest and the possibility exists that the athlete was positive during the contest, please inform the school you played.
Thank you in advance for your attention to these situations. I know the vast majority of schools are already providing this information but there are a couple of instances that we could be more forthcoming. After all, we are in this together and you have done a great job getting us to where we are but please continue to do everything possible to mitigate any possible issues.

Thanks for all you do,

Robin
—
Robin Hines
Executive Director
Georgia High School Association
151 South Bethel Street
Post Office Box 271
Thomaston, Georgia 30286
706-647-7473, Ext #41
FAX: 706-647-2638
robin.hines@ghsa.net

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9/18/20GHSA Announcement.

 Dear All: First of all, let me thank you for all you do for our students especially during these unprecedented times. While there have been a few bumps in the road, Fall sports have had a successful start and it’s due to your planning and hard work. The reason for this communique is to inform you of some concerns that came out of the weekly superintendents call today. The main issues are as follows:

1. Students are never allowed to return to practice while quarantined. The Sports Medicine Advisory Council updated the acclimatization to include starting the process on the last day of quarantine. This cannot be at team practice, the student is quarantined. This gives virtual options for coaches that will allow an asymptomatic athlete to return to play a little quicker. By no means does this allow a quarantined student to practice with other students.

2. There were concerns expressed that some school’s infectious disease plans and methods of quarantine vary and some do not follow DPH guidelines. I am asking that these plans regarding quarantines be shared with opponents by request if there are any concerns. I would go as far as to say that the GHSA would take issue with member schools who are operating outside of the DPH guidelines and this would be considered a COVID related reason to cancel a contest with no penalty. I also recommend that schools requesting this information to do so well in advance of the contest. I would appreciate your cooperation in this matter. I certainly don’t believe these issues are prevalent but I also want to compete as safely as possible and to be able to answer any concerns opponents may have so that everyone can be comfortable that all member schools are following appropriate guidelines. Remember, we are all in this together.

The last issue I want to mention is that GHSA passes are allowed at all games. This is in the by-laws and member schools must admit those with GHSA passes UNLESS the facility is at capacity and no additional admission of any kind is allowed. Thanks, have a great day and call if I can do anything for you.

Robin — Robin Hines Executive Director Georgia High School Association 151 South Bethel Street Post Office Box 271

Thomaston, Georgia 30286 706-647-7473, Ext #41 FAX: 706-647-2638 robin.hines@ghsa.net

9/2/2020

On behalf of GHSA Executive Director, Dr. Robin Hines:

After yesterday’s meeting with the SMAC, with input from the medical group, the GHSA decided to re-define the re-acclimation of quarantined athletes when they return to practice. Initially, all football players are required to complete five (5) days of acclimation. Once acclimated, if players miss five (5) or more consecutive days of practice, they must re-acclimate.

Effective immediately, athletes and teams requiring re-acclimation, will follow the schedule below, for all athletes who have previously completed the acclimation period. Re-Acclimation may start on the last day of quarantine provided the school can document the conditioning of the student/athlete. Sample (not mandatory) workout plans are attached for you to use if you wish.

Re-Acclimation Last Day Quarantine: 1.5 hour conditioning – helmets only

Day 2: 2 hours practice – helmets only

Day 3: 2.5 hours practice with helmets and shoulder pads

Day 4: 2.5 hours practice with full pads Day

5: 2.5 hours practice with full pads or play a game

The acclimation and re-acclimation of athletes will end on Wednesday, September 30th. Also, with all sports in season and schools working with the local Department of Public Health, we will stop collecting School’s Positive Test Results. Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change. Safety must be our top priority. — Don Corr Associate Director

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Aug 26:

On behalf of GHSA Executive Director, Dr. Robin Hines:(8/26/2020)

After today’s meeting with the SMAC, the GHSA will begin football season the week of September 4 as directed by the Board of Trustees.   Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change.  Safety must be our top priority. Thanks for all you and your staff do for the student/athletes in the State of Georgia. —

Don Corr Associate Director

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July 22:

The GHSA and the Sports Medicine Advisory Council appreciates our member schools’ continued efforts in the successful implementation of the Coronavirus Guidance Plan. As I am sure you are all aware, the Board of Trustees voted Monday to move back the start of the football season two weeks later. This does not affect the start of acclimatization or the first date of practice. Scrimmages and games are pushed back two weeks, practice remains the same.

In order to keep Girls Flag Football aligned with 11-man football championships, the season has been slightly adjusted (dates are on the GHSA web site). All other Fall sports and activities will remain as scheduled on the original calendar.

After our meeting today, the GHSA has elected to utilize the following Guidance for Acclimatization and Practice with recommendations and/or restrictions. https://www.ghsa.net/sites/default/files/documents/Acclimatization_and_Practice_Recommendations_-_7-27-20.pdf NOTE: This information concerning Guidance for Acclimatization and Practice with recommendations and/or restrictions, is for the Acclimation Period and start of practice on August 1st. The previous recommendations and/or restrictions are still in place for voluntary summer conditioning which prohibits inter squad (between schools) scrimmages. The GHSA Office is expecting all schools to continue reporting any and all Positive COVID-19 cases (list positive test date, athlete or coach, and sport) results since June 8th to Don Corr at don.corr@ghsa.net. In addition to the positive cases, we are requesting you report any and all individuals who have been screened out of any conditioning workouts (list date screened out, athlete or coach, and sport) to Don Corr at don.corr@ghsa.net. Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change. Safety must be our top priority.

Thanks for all you and your staff do for the student/athletes in the State of Georgia.

Robin Hines

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GHSA 7/20/2020

Called Meeting Minutes… NEW BUSINESS: White opened discussion on fall sports and called upon Walton parent Amy Henry, who had asked to address the board. Henry talked about the importance of sports to kids in high school and how the benefits of playing sports outweighed the risks associated with Covid 19. Craft spoke next, saying that it was clear that almost everybody wanted to play the fall schedule, but mentioning that a push-back of two weeks might be best for several school systems. Jewell agreed, adding that the Atlanta Public School System might be the first district to cancel fall sports completely if the football season is not pushed back two weeks. Petroski pointed out that pushing the football season two weeks later would impact winter sports at smaller schools, which depend more on multi-sport athletes than do some larger schools.

Much discussion followed, with every member of the BOT speaking about subjects ranging from how positive tests would be handled during the season to whether or not all fall sports would be pushed back or just football. Crews then made a motion (seconded by Masters) to stay with the current GHSA calendar. The motion failed 8-4 with Turner, Craft, May, Jewell, Finch, Mitchell, White and Miller voting “no.” Following more discussion, White made a motion to move the start of football competition back two weeks. Turner seconded the motion and a voice vote to approve the measure was unanimous. White then confirmed that the football conditioning would remain as scheduled (July 27), but the first week games could be played would be the week of September 4 instead of August 21. He further affirmed that there would still be a 10-game regular season followed by five rounds of playoffs in football. All other GHSA fall sports will remain as scheduled on the current GHSA calendar. Motion was made by Craft, seconded by Crews, and unanimously approved to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Motion by White, second by Crews, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION Passed (unanimously)

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July 15:

The GHSA and the Sports Medicine Advisory Council appreciates our member schools’ continued efforts in the successful implementation of the Coronavirus Guidance Plan. After our meeting today, the GHSA has elected to implement the use of football helmets only with the following stipulations:

1) football players may be issued a football helmet to begin using on July 20th and

2) schools must sanitize the helmet before and after each workout.

All previously distributed correspondence is still in place until further notice, especially no use of locker rooms.

The GHSA and the SMAC has started the discussion concerning the start of the acclimatization period (beginning July 27), first date for practice (August 1) and the first contest date (different for each Sport/Activity). More information will be available following next week’s meeting.

The GHSA Office is expecting all schools to continue reporting any and all Positive COVID-19 cases (list positive test date, athlete or coach, and sport) results since June 8th to Don Corr at don.corr@ghsa.net. In addition to the positive cases, we are requesting you report any and all individuals who have been screened out of any conditioning workouts (list date screened out, athlete or coach, and sport) to Don Corr at don.corr@ghsa.net. Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change. Safety must be our top priority. Thanks for all you and your staff do for the student/athletes in the State of Georgia.

Robin Hines

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July 8:

On behalf of GHSA Executive Director, Dr. Robin Hines:

The GHSA and the Sports Medicine Advisory Council appreciates our member schools’ continued efforts in the successful implementation of the Coronavirus Guidance Plan. After our meeting today, the GHSA has elected to not implement any additional changes at this time. All previously distributed correspondence is still in place until further notice.

The GHSA Office is expecting all schools to continue reporting any and all Positive COVID-19 cases (list positive test date, athlete or coach, and sport) results since June 8th to Don Corr at don.corr@ghsa.net . In addition to the positive cases, we are requesting you report any and all individuals who have been screened out of any conditioning workouts (list date screened out, athlete or coach, and sport) to Don Corr at don.corr@ghsa.net .

Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change. Safety must be our top priority. Thanks for all you and your staff do for the student/athletes in the State of Georgia. — Don Corr Associate Director Georgia High School Association 151 South Bethel Street Post Office Box 271 Thomaston, Georgia 30286 706-647-7473, Ext #34 FAX: 706-647-2638 don.corr@ghsa.net

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July 1:

The GHSA and the Sports Medicine Advisory Council appreciates our member schools’ efforts during the successful implementation of the Coronavirus Guidance Plan. The GHSA has elected to implement:

1) intra-squad competitions (7-on-7, 3-on-3, … ) are allowed but competition between schools is illegal,

2) Groups of 50 are allowed to re-group if it can be done safely,

3) Cheerleading, Softball and Volleyball tryouts are allowed,

4) mask and face covering are recommended and

5) Each student should have their own personal water bottle (water bottles may be re-filled during workouts).

No use of water fountains or “water cows” is allowed, starting Monday, July 6th with the following stipulations:

1.    Recommend a mask or face covering.

2.    Groups may be re grouped into a group with up to the limit of 50 individuals.

3.    Water bottles may be refilled during workouts FOOTBALL- NO helmets, shoulder pads, girdles, knee or thigh pads can be worn AT ANY TIME.  

The face mask and face covering recommended guideline does not refer to helmets or helmet face masks, but to the use of cloth face covering/masks to help slow the spread of Covid-19. Click here for a Revised Guidance which may be implemented Monday, July 6th.   Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change.  Safety must be our top priority. Thanks for all you and your staff do for the student/athletes in the State of Georgia.

Robin Hines

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June 25:

The GHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Council met today and discussed the current “Guidance for returning to conditioning on June 22 with recommendation and/or restrictions” as well as moving forward after the upcoming Dead Week.  It was decided that no changes will be made at this time for the week beginning July 6, 2020.  

The Council will meet again next week (during the dead week) to discuss possible changes for the week of July 6th.

The GHSA Office is asking all member schools to report positive COVID-19 tests of student/athletes and coaches by emailing Don Corr at don.corr@ghsa.net. When emailing, please state the school name, denote coach or athlete (no names), date of positive test, and the sport in which the individual was conditioning. Names of student/athletes and coaches should not be included in this report.   We hope that everyone stays safe under these difficult times.

Robin Hines

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June 22:

Due to the number of calls, the GHSA would like to clarify the term “no scrimmaging” in the Coronavirus Guidance Plan.

It is defined as:
1.    No one-on-one, No two-on-two, etc. … in any sport.
2.    No seven-on-seven in football.
3.    No live batting practice that has a catcher and hitter with in six (6) feet of each other.
4.    No conditioning/activity that does not allow for “Social Distancing.”

Remember that “Social Distancing” is still in place and should be strictly followed at all times.

Robin Hines

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GHSA SEC Meeting 6/23/2020  –  Dead Week

Proposal that GHSA establish a Second Dead Week on the GHSA Calendar for the Monday through Sunday in which Memorial Day falls each year. (The dead week would begin on Memorial Day and last until the following Sunday.) This would begin on Memorial Day in 2021. The July 4th Dead Week would also change to a Monday through Sunday format (in which the Fourth of July falls).

(GHSA Office) MOTION PASSED (unanimously)

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June 17:

The GHSA and the Sports Medicine Advisory Council appreciates our member schools’ efforts during the successful implementation of the Coronavirus Guidance Plan.

The GHSA has elected to implement: 1) Allow the use of sports specific equipment (including balls) in conditioning (no scrimmaging), and 2) increase the number of participants in each group from 25 to 50 (two existing groups should be combined into one group), starting Monday, June 22nd with the following stipulations:

1. Sports specific equipment (including balls) may be used and should be sanitized between sessions.
2. Existing groups may be combined into one (1) group, up to the limit of 50 individuals.

Click the following links to view two (2) documents: 1) is a Revised Guidance which may be implemented Monday, June 22nd and 2) is the original guidance with newly approved revisions that may be implemented Monday, June 22, 2020.

Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change. Safety must be our top priority.
Thanks for all you and your staff do for the student/athletes in the State of Georgia.

Robin Hines

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6/12/20

GHSA Statement from Don Corr…

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of GHSA Executive Director, Dr. Robin Hines:

The GHSA and the Sports Medicine Advisory Council appreciates our member schools’ efforts during the successful implementation of the Coronavirus Guidance Plan. The GHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Council meet yesterday and elected to increase the number of participants in each group from 20 to 25 starting Monday, June 15th with the following stipulations:

1. The additional participants added to the group should be new additions only.

2. Current groups should be the same individuals (including coaches) for each session with the exception of the new participants.

3. All current recommendations and/or restrictions are still in place. Recommendations and restrictions are fluid and subject to change. Safety must be our top priority. Thanks for all you and your staff do for the student/athletes in the State of Georgia.

— Don Corr Associate Director

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May 21:

The Georgia High School Association will open up conditioning for its member schools on June 8, 2020. The plan is restrictive and provides for conditioning only. As the data related to COVID-19 continues to improve, restrictions may be reduced after input from our health care professionals and guidance from our Governor. Please make every effort to follow the recommendations and restrictions included in the guidance provided. As you return to conditioning, keep in mind that the majority of your athletes have “deconditioned” the past two months and need to work into what would be normal for this time of year. Reduce the work and gradually increase the workouts with time.

Finally, ensure that your school and system leadership are aware of this guidance and have the opportunity provide input into your plan to move forward with conditioning and for preparing and maintaining your facilities. Keep in mind that member schools may be more restrictive than the guidance but may not be less restrictive. There has never been a time more critical time for athletic departments, school administration, and system level administrators to work together.

Thank you for all you do for your athletes and please follow the guidance appropriately and keep everyone safe.

Supporting documents:
Conditioning Recommendations

Robin HinesAAConditioning_Reccommendations-_restrictions_5-20-20

Workout Questionaire

AAWorkout_Questionaire_-_COVID-19

Sample Monitoring Form

AACOVID-19_Coach-Athlete_Monitoring_Form

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Message from GHSA… May 14:

The Board of Trustees is keenly aware of the challenges you face with regard to physicals for the 2020-2021 school year. In response, they have approved an exception to allow physicals that are valid through the end of this school year to be valid through July 27, 2020 which is the first official date for practice for 2020-2021. This should assist schools in scheduling team physicals this summer or allow more time for your athletes to schedule a physical with their personal physician.

To Summarize: 1. Athletes with physicals valid through the end of this school year are given an exception through July 27, 2020. At that time a new physical for 2020-2021 must be on file prior to participation. 2. Any athlete whose physical expired prior to the end of the school year must have a current physical on file prior to participation. 3. Any student new to your school must have a current physical on file prior to participation. If the student is a transfer and brings a physical with them, it must meet the criteria listed above.

There have been numerous reports that the GHSA has released a return to practice for football. This is “fake news” as we have not released any schedule for return to practice. We are meeting with our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and gathering information from many different sources. We are Hopeful for a measured return with restrictions in June and hopefully the data will continue to support this effort. We will put a plan together as soon as possible for the Board of Trustees to consider and let you know as soon as this is completed. Until that time, all GHSA sports and activities are suspended.

For those Fall sports with Spring tryouts (cheer, volleyball, softball), schools will be allowed to schedule tryouts once we are cleared to return to practice. The GHSA Coaches Select Recruiting Event for basketball in June has been cancelled. The NCAA pushed its dead recruiting period up which conflict with the dates of the event. We will inform you of additional information regarding this event as we receive it.

The Board of Trustees agreed that the State Executive Committee will be best held in person rather than virtually. We will schedule this as soon as we receive guidance of when it is safe to do so. My thought and best guess would be that we could convene once the legislature resumes to finish their session. Again, more information will be forthcoming as soon as we receive it. Have a great day, stay safe and let me know if I can help you in any way.

Robin Hines

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