PALO ALTO – JUNE 24: Palo Alto High School head football coach Nelson Gifford, center, instructs some of his players during conditioning drills at Greene Middle School in Palo Alto, Calif., on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. (Randy Vazquez / Bay Area News Group)
Football and other outdoor sports will be permitted in Santa Clara County beginning Friday, officials announced Monday, bringing the county in line with recent guidelines released by the California Department of Public Health.
Outdoor sports got the green light in many parts of California in revised guidelines released last Friday, but while Santa Clara met the requirements laid out by the state, county officials only committed to implementing the relaxed rules for outdoor activities following the weekend. On Monday, Dr. Sara Cody, the county’s public health officer, announced that a broader range of outdoor activities, including and beyond the sports affected by the state’s guidelines, would soon be allowed in Santa Clara County.
“We have been fighting COVID in Santa Clara County for over a year. We recognize the toll of the pandemic on everyone’s mental, physical, and spiritual health, and the need to balance the risk of COVID with other human needs,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Public Health Officer and Director of Public Health. “Children and adults alike need to participate in the many activities that support their mental, physical, and social wellbeing. We know that the State has made rapid changes to its rules on athletic activities. It is important that changes are consistent across the board. We recognize the importance of all outdoor activities—athletic and non-athletic—to our health and are seeking to allow as much as we can given current levels of community transmission.”
Like the state guidelines, the new rules in Santa Clara County will take effect Friday. The county said they would be posted to its website within the next few days.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
