(WXYZ) — Michigan will end a months-long ban on youth contact sports that was ordered to curb rising coronavirus cases.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the MDHHS announced the new epidemic order which allows the sports to restart, nearly two weeks before the originally supposed to start on Feb. 21.
Those sports that will now be allowed to resume include basketball, hockey, wrestling and competitive cheer.
The announcement comes just a day after a group called Let Them Play Michigan, a hockey league and parents filed a lawsuit against the state over the halt of winter contact sports.
Athletes will have to wear masks for non-contact sports indoors and wear masks for contact sports indoors.
If masks cannot be worn for the sport, the student-athletes must be tested consisted with the testing protocol for the state.
“We continue to make progress in reducing cases and hospitalizations, helping protect our families and frontline workers and saving lives. Now, starting February 8, contact sports can resume with safety measures in place,” Whitmer said in a release.
Related: Read the latest Michigan Epidemic Order allowing winter contact sports to resume
The latest order remains in effect through Monday, March 29, according to the state.
Let Them Play Michigan released this statement:
“Let Them Play Michigan appreciates Director Hertel’s efforts to move this important issue forward in a timely manner. The lack of high school sports has had a negative impact on young people all around this state and we are confident that sports can resume safely with precautions in place.
“We will need to review the details of the order issued today to determine the impact it will have on student athletes and their families across the state. After review, and if appropriate, we will take necessary action to dismiss the lawsuit.”
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