The Georgia High School Association is taking a wait and see approach with the spring sports season as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the state and the country.
GHSA spokesman Steve Figueroa said on Monday that the governing body of the 460 public and private schools around the state will not make any further statements on future plans until March 27th
The GHSA suspended all games and practices for two weeks last week.
"We will definitely suspend for the next two weeks, as the Governor recommended,” GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines said in a statement last week. “By close of business on Friday, March 27th, we will issue an update. We hate to have to make this call, but we must do what is in the best interest of our student-athletes and fans.”
Figueroa echoed those remarks on Monday morning and added that it is a very fluid situation right now.
"It is impossible at this time to make any plans since we really have no idea when (or if) the kids will be going back to school this spring," he said. "This is a very, very fluid situation and there is just no way to predict when it will resolve itself."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on Sunday that gatherings of 50 people or more in the US to be canceled or postponed over the next eight weeks because of the pandemic. But did say, per AP, the recommendation does not apply to "the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning or businesses."
Most schools around the area are closed for at least two weeks, while Hall County and Gainesville City schools are shut down for one week. School officials in Hall County and Gainesville City have said they'll re-evaluate later in the week and decide if more days should be added to the closure.
With the halt of the high school sports season also comes a firm no practice policy from the school systems. Athletes are not permitted on campuses or have in-person contact with the coaching staff.
