Atlanta Public Schools' Revised Guidance for Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

APS will continue to monitor COVID-19 in our community and schools and will consider COVID data and guidance from the CDC and DPH in making future decisions regarding masking and additional mitigation strategies. For now, students participating in athletics and extracurricular activities should 

• Continue to practice physical distancing when possible
• Stay home when sick

Optional COVID-19 surveillance testing will remain available for all students. Families can consent to APS Surveillance Testing for students using this link: Student Consent Form

Guidance for Acclimatization and Practice with Minimal to No Restrictions/ Athletics

• Use of locker rooms or shower facilities is acceptable with the following guidance.
• Facilities and all equipment should be sanitized after each practice.
• Physical distancing should be practiced. If needed, groups should dress in stages. (Preferably twenty-five per group)
• Students shall not congregate in the locker room and indoor facilities. The locker room will be monitored by designated personnel to ensure compliance with this requirement.
• Weight equipment will be cleaned prior to each workout and sanitized between uses by each student.
• Hand sanitizer will be plentiful and readily available.
• Each school will develop a hydration plan for all teams for safety reasons.
• Physical distancing must be adhered to as a safety net (6ft for all adults and 3ft between students).

Return to play protocol post COVID19 Diagnosis or Exposure:

Student safety and well-being is vitally important. Those persons who are diagnosed with COVID-19 may return to school after completing current DPH Isolation Guidelines. Review the isolation and quarantine tab for the latest guidance. 

Return to play protocol post COVID-19 Exposure:

After completing the DPH COVID-19 Isolation or Quarantine Guidance, student-athletes may return to sports activities.

Personal Hygiene

• Students and staff must wash or sanitize hands as they enter and exit the practice.
• Teach students proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and physical distancing guidelines.
  
  

Equipment Safety and Sanitation

• Consult with the school-wide COVID-19 response team and CDC guidance and EPA guidance on proper physical education equipment sanitation procedures.
• Inventory athletic equipment at the school to identify which pieces of equipment can be easily and effectively sanitized. Cloth or porous materials are more difficult to properly sanitize than vinyl or plastic materials.
• Properly clean and disinfect equipment between practices. If there is not equitable access to equipment for all athletes or if equipment cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected between practices, avoid the use of equipment altogether.

Although CDC does not provide specific numbers for limits of attendees for events or gatherings, it does recommend that organizers should monitor levels of community transmission and vaccination coverage when making decisions on mitigation strategies (CDC Event Planning FAQs,CDC Guidance for Outdoor and Indoor Activities).

Atlanta Public Schools' Guidance for Arts and Performances

APS will continue to monitor COVID-19 in our community and schools and will consider COVID data and guidance from the CDC and DPH in making future decisions regarding masking and additional mitigation strategies. For now, students participating in athletics and extracurricular activities should 

• Continue to practice physical distancing when possible
• Stay home when sick

Optional COVID-19 surveillance testing will remain available for all students. Families can consent to APS Surveillance Testing for students using this link: Student Consent Form

• Rehearsals and performances should be held outdoors whenever possible. Proper hygiene strategies should remain in place. All other APS guidance should be followed, including optional masking and physically distancing when possible.