NEW SPORTS GUIDELINES ISSUED SEPTEMBER 1

The following types of play are defined by level from least to greatest risk. Across all types of play, keep players together in small, stable groups (i.e. cohorts) with dedicated coaches or staff. Ideally, these cohorts should include fewer than 30 individuals.

Level 1: Performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home, alone or with household members
Level 2: Team-based practice with physically distanced group activities
Level 3: Within-team competition (e.g. intra-squad scrimmages). This level of play involves one cohort of participants.
Level 4: Competition between teams from the same geographic area (e.g. the same county and in some cases adjacent counties). This level of play involves two cohorts of participants.
Level 5: Competition between teams from different geographic areas within Maine
Level 6: Competition between teams from different states
Note: Individuals traveling or returning to Maine must follow the executive order on travel and rules explained in the Keep Maine Healthy plan. This includes a requirement that all out-of-state travelers coming into Maine, as well as Maine residents returning to Maine, complete a 14-day quarantine upon arrival or have a negative COVID-19 PCR test no longer than 72 hours of arrival with uarantine while waiting for the result (unless that travel is to or from an exempted state). Check the website of the Maine Centers for Disease Control for updated information on exemptions to this requirement. Please note that competition between teams from different states is not recommended at this time.

Type of play allowed, based on risk level of sport or activity

At this time, sports are restricted to the types of play presented in the table below based on the level of risk associated with the sport or activity. During all activities, the public health measures in this guidance must be followed (e.g., hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, face coverings, etc.) These recommendations will be updated as conditions change. Moreover, if transmission rates increase the county where sports teams have planned competitions, these intra-team activities should be cancelled.

(Updated 9/1/20)

Risk level characteristics
Examples
Levels of Play Allowed
Lower Risk
Sports and activities that can be done with physical distancing and no physical contact
Sports and activities that can be done individually
Examples: Batting cages, tennis, pickleball, individual swimming, catch, disc golf, golf, individual biking, surfing, horseback riding, crew/sailing, fishing, hunting, motor sports, gymnastics, weightlifting, single sculling, throwing events (javelin, shot put, discus, hammer), jumping events (high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump), skiing, cross country events where physical distance can be maintained
Levels 1-5
(indoor or outdoor)
Moderate Risk
Sports and activities that involve intermittent close proximity or limited, incidental contact, but with protective equipment or mitigating measures in place that may reduce the likelihood of respiratory particle transmission between participants (e.g., wearing masks, modifying play to maintain 6 feet of physical distance, cleaning and disinfecting)
Examples: Baseball, softball, team swimming, fencing, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, ice hockey, competitive cheer, martial arts, ultimate frisbee, running events where physical distance cannot be maintained, field hockey, pair figure skating, volleyball
Levels 1-3
(indoor or outdoor)

Level 4
(outdoor only)
Higher Risk
Sports and activities that involve sustained close contact between participants, lack of significant protective barriers, and high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants
Examples: Football, wrestling, rugby, boxing
Levels 1-3
(indoor or outdoor)