By Michael LEVITSKY

Approaching one full year since youth sports came to an abrupt halt, the CIF Southern Section announced Friday that high school football, boys and girls water polo, and other outdoor sports are allowed to resume as early as Feb. 26.

The decision came following the California Dept. of Health’s youth sports update on Friday morning after the state has seen a sharp downtick in cases and hospitalization in recent weeks.

The state’s health department requires each county to have an adjusted case rate of 14.0 per 100,000 people in order for outdoor sports to begin practice, then competition. As of Tuesday, LA County had a rate of 12.3.

Teams will have to practice for 14 days before being allowed to play any official game. Testing will occur on a weekly basis and be required for every player and coach, as well as the wearing of face coverings at all times unless on the field of play.

Though the path for outdoors sports is a bit clearer, a murky outlook is still seen for indoor sports, especially those that are in the fall season and have to end by mid- to late-April to usher in spring season sports. CIF-SS will continue to have discussions with the Governor’s office and the CDHP to get indoor sports up and running again. In the meantime athletes can begin to play outdoors, if possible.

“We hope to have an update later on the situation with indoor sports,” Commissioner Rob Wigod stated in the Southern Section’s press release Friday. “As soon as that information becomes available, I will update you at that time.”