Updated 3.12.2020
In order to assist our member schools and school districts in responding to questions regarding the status of CIF spring sports, and to serve as a resource to our member schools, the 10 CIF Section Commissioners will be meeting Tuesday, March 17, to discuss the possible impact of COVID-19 on our upcoming spring season.
Members of our interscholastic community are asking questions and raising concerns about the Coronavirus. We want to stress that we understand these concerns, given the significant attention this topic has received in the media. We are committed to help protect the health and safety of the student-athletes and the staff of our member schools.
The CIF does not offer medical advice regarding disease prevention, but we refer our community to the resources listed at the end of this Advisory regarding Coronavirus. The CIF also strongly encourages students, parents, and staff to consult their school or district's website or personnel for information regarding specific, local responses.
The CIF is monitoring developments from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (DPH) and our medical expert Dr. Jeffrey Tanji, Sports Medicine Physician at UC Davis Health. The CDC and DPH state that while there is a public health threat, the individual risk for members of the American public is low at this time. The CIF will proceed with its athletic contests as usual. As appropriate, modifications may be made to the dates, times and locates of our athletic events.
We remind everyone to continue to take preventative actions advised by the CDC to help stop the spread of germs, including washing hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds, containing coughs into a tissue or sleeve and staying home if you are sick, especially if you have a respiratory illness and fever.
Additionally, limit non-essential personnel in the locker rooms pre and post-game. Also, student-athletes should refrain from handshakes throughout athletic contests including pre, post, and in-event, instead utilize the fist bump.
Additional updates regarding CIF athletic events will be published here as they become available.
The following resources are available for further information:
California Department of Education:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts-stop-fear.html
California Department of Public Health:
- https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/documents/coronavirusguidance.pdf
The CIF may update this advisory as more information becomes available.