Effective immediately, The Maryland Sports Commission Return to Play Report and Guideline Recommendation is no longer a preferred resource and or reference tool, due to the ongoing relaxation of restrictions related to COVID-19, and the continually changing environment and recommendations set forth by the C.D.C., W.H.O., as well as, federal, state, and local governments. At no time was The Maryland Sports Commission Return to Play Report and Guidelines Recommendation a legally binding document, a regulatory statute, or to be used/ cited in any manner so as to suggest that this report was an authoritative source for determining or classifying the ability for sports activities to be allowed or executed.
It is the position of The Maryland Sports Commission that local governing institutions should make decisions on sports activities based on the information they receive as it relates to minimizing the spread of COVID-19, and that local governing bodies should adhere to the latest updates for a return to safe sports activities by referencing the most up-to-date recommendations from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)* as well as the National Governing Bodies on a sport-by-sport basis, respectively.
Background:
In May 2020, The Maryland Sports Commission developed the Return to Play Task Force - consisting of medical professionals, local sports directors, coaches, events rights holders, and members of National Governing Bodies. In June 2020, the Task Force released the Return to Play Report and Guideline Recommendation. This document was created with the sole purpose of being a resource to jurisdictions across Maryland as they considered implementing less rigid regulations for hosting safe sporting events in their respective communities, as it related to the COVID-19 pandemic response.
* Hyperlink to (NFHS):
https://www.nfhs.org/media/4295118/nfhs-smac-statement-on-risk-of-covid-...