TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy today outlined the state’s plan to return to sports and said starting June 22nd, all sports teams, clubs and leagues can resume non-contact training practices. Murphy said the state has broken down sports into three categories, high risk, medium risk and low risk. Low risk and low contact sports include sports like tennis and golf. Baseball and softball fall under medium risk and sports like football, hockey and soccer are high-risk sports.
Low risk sports such as tennis and golf can resume competitive play on June 22nd.
Medium risk sports resume practices and training on June 22nd, Murphy said with non-contact drills and practices only. Barring any spikes in COVID-19, Murphy said on July 6th, tournaments, league play and competitive games can be played once again.
High-risk contact sports like football can resume non-contact drills on June 22nd and begin full practices by July 20th. Other restrictions include health screenings for athletes coaching and staff and limited equipment sharing.
Once open, sporting events have to also comply with Murphy’s outdoor gathering rules, which is currently set at 100 people. That limit will rise to 250 next week and to 500 by July 3rd.
“We want everyone to be healthy to get out and play, but we want everyone to stay safe,” Murphy said.
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