A new public health order in Los Angeles County announced Monday will require high school athletes to be tested every week for the coronavirus, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health shared the revised guidelines Monday requiring high school athletes to be tested weekly for the COVID-19 virus.
The weekly testing for athletes in such sports as football ended in March, but a surge in cases in L.A. County will force schools to return to testing.
On Friday, preliminary guidance was sent to school principals for review. But on Monday, principals were sent new protocols that will take effect Sept. 1 instead of this week.
“The effective date has changed to give time for teams to prepare and put things in place,” a county public health spokeswoman said in an email.
The guidelines will require the wearing of masks by spectators and participants for indoor events such as volleyball. Mask wearing will be recommended but not required for outside events.
Loyola High athletic trainer Tim Moscicki told the Times the new protocol means all football and water polo players must be tested regardless of vaccination status
“I think people who are vaccinated might be upset they have to get tested,” Moscicki said.
Some school districts, such as Los Angeles Unified, have been testing all students weekly, so there will be few changes needed. But some private schools could need to scramble to resume weekly testing next Wednesday.
