Parks and playgrounds will reopen in Cambridge as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues guidelines for youth sports.
Children in Cambridge, Massachusetts will be able to swing on the swing sets and cool off at splash pads starting Monday as the city eases restrictions amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Basketball courts, playgrounds, tot lots and water play structures reopen in Cambridge Monday, but with some new guidelines.
Pick-up games and scrimmages on courts are not permitted. Courts will be open for non-contact drills only and people must wait outside the court until others leave. Congregating is not allowed.
The city is urging anyone who is planning to visit these facilities to stay home if they are feeling ill. Hand-washing is encouraged before and after using equipment and people should stay six feet apart, avoid crowds and wear a face mask or face covering.
Children must be monitored at all times to ensure they are following the guidelines.
Rules for youth sports are also changing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says leagues should cut down on travel and limit games requiring spectators. In some cases, especially if these things aren’t possible, the CDC recommends canceling games and focusing on skill-building and conditioning.
The agency is warning that sports requiring close contact and shared equipment, like baseball, are at higher risk of spreading the coronavirus.
For more information and to sign up to receive COVID-19 and reopening updates, please visit the city’s dedicated information page.
