AKRON, Ohio — Akron Public Schools Board of Education has voted to allow winter sports to begin, both non-contact and contact sports.
The board voted 5-2 at a special Monday meeting to approve the start of contact sports and voted 4-3 in favor of starting non-contact sports such as bowling and swimming.
"Contact sports, that's wrestling and basketball, will also include weekly COVID-19 testing,” said Athletic Director Joe Vassalotti.
Gyms, natatoriums, etc. will be limited to a 15% capacity. Each athlete is allowed two tickets for spectators for the events. The school board said it is up to the coaches and athletes to follow safety protocols.
Athletes in basketball and wrestling will be screened weekly for COVID-19 symptoms and receive a rapid COVID-19 test. The cost of each test is $35, which will be paid for by the district.
Students who don’t pass the health evaluation or have a positive test will be barred from the game/match competition.
"This is an extremely difficult decision that this board made, and as you can see it was not a unanimous decision,” said Board President Patrick Bravo. “And so there’s a responsibility and a trust that we are placing in our student-athletes, our coaches, our parents and our families."
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