Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

Arkansas plans to resume high school football, other contact sports in fall


Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson discusses the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic (Photo: KATV){ }
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson discusses the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic (Photo: KATV)
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

Arkansas is moving forward with plans to allow high school football and other amateur contact sports to resume in the fall.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the news Friday during his daily coronavirus briefing. Football teams will be allowed to hold no-contact drills with helmets beginning next week. Volleyball teams will also be allowed to begin practicing next week. Officials said they plan to allow contact after Aug. 7.

Hutchinson said he's asked the Arkansas Athletic Association (AAA), the governing body for high school sports in the state, to submit plans for contact sports resuming this fall. After reviewing AAA plans, the Department of Health will determine how and when some contact sports will begin "as safely as possible."

"My message for the football players for Monday, is to grab your helmet and be ready for practice." Hutchinson said. "And after practice, I want you to grab your mask, and help protect others you may be around."

Earlier this month, AAA announced it was prepared to start the fall season as planned. Hutchinson said on Friday he is establishing a high school sports advisory group to help assess the COVID-19 risks as school sports resume.

Some team sports including baseball, track, and swimming were allowed to resume in June with some restrictions. Collegiate athletes have returned to campus for individual workouts.

Arkansas logged 752 new virus cases and 11 new COVID-19 deaths on Friday, bringing the state’s death toll to 453 and the number of confirmed cases to 42,511. Officials said 507 people were hospitalized with the virus, up 3 from Thursday, and 100 were on ventilators. There was 6,645 active cases in Arkansas on Friday.

Hutchinson said 7,207 tests were given on Thursday, with a positivity rate of around 10 percent.

“This is not good, we have a lot of work today,” Hutchinson said of the high positivity rate.

Around 188,478 people have been tested in Arkansas in July, surpassing the state’s goal of testing 180,000. Officials have said that Arkansas will receive 200 new testing machines next week.


Loading ...