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Portland schools revert back to COVID safety protocols for extracurricular activities amid omicron

In Portland Public Schools, student athletes and performers must once again wear masks at all times, including during competition and performances.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Public Schools is reverting back to past COVID-19 safety measures as students return from winter break amid a new wave of cases propelled by the omicron variant

Following new guidance from state officials, Portland Public Schools (PPS) announced Tuesday that it would be reinstating safety protocols from last spring for extracurricular activities, such as sports and performing arts. 

In a news release, PPS said these protocols will be in effect at least until Feb. 4: 

  • Student athletes and performers must wear masks at all times during competition and practices, as well as music and dance performances, with the exception of students who play wind instruments.  
  • Access to locker rooms will be limited.
  • No overnight travel for athletic competitions or performances.
  • Concession stands will not be open at extracurricular activities or games
  • Spectators age 5 and up must show proof of being fully vaccinated or offer documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours. 
  • Opportunities will be increased to receive COVID-19 tests and possible return to participation after five to seven days with negative tests.

PPS said it will remain flexible to making changes to this policy based on new data and guidelines from health officials. 

The district's announcement came on the same day Oregon reported 4,540 new COVID-19 cases statewide, a new single-day record.

RELATED: Oregon reports 4,540 new COVID cases, setting new single-day record

"We do recognize there is greater risk for students participating in extracurricular activities, including for those who are fully vaccinated ... Data has shown that the majority of COVID-19 infections for students happen outside of school," the district wrote. 

On Wednesday, the district also started its Test-to-Stay program, which allows unvaccinated, asymptomatic students who were exposed to COVID at school or on the bus to get a test. If they are negative, they get to stay in school.

Brenda Martinek, chief of student support services for PPS said this week the district also began offering COVID tests at its district office to asymptomatic teachers who think they were exposed.

"They can come in and get tested to ensure that they're negative so that they have peace of mind and they can continue to work with kids. Our whole priority is to make sure that we are taking care of our staff and our students and keeping kids in school," said Martinek.

Other districts also announced measures regarding extracurricular activities, while others made few changes to their policies but asked people to voluntarily limit attendance at sporting events and other activities.

In Lake Oswego, for example, officials announced Tuesday they would limit spectators at sporting competitions in their gyms and pool. The district is allowing four spectators per athlete for games in gyms and two per athlete for home team swimmers in their senior year. 

Athletic competitions will be livestreamed for those who can't attend under the new ticket-based system, the district said.

Lake Oswego also extended free weekly COVID testing for elementary students — a program that was to end in January — and announced plans to expand it to middle and high school students by February.

The district will review its policy every two weeks, according to a statement.

Other districts, including Salem-Keizer and Hillsboro, posted warnings on their website that participating in extracurricular activities could lead to a risk of COVID-19 infection and quarantine but did not implement any new rules.

Salem-Keizer said it was currently reviewing its policies in light of omicron. 

Hillsboro School District asked people to voluntarily limit the number of spectators at sporting events and said the district would conduct contact tracing to determine if cancellations were necessary for any sport or activity.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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