Fighter Kyle Daukaus, right, trains with his brother, Chris Daukaus, in their garage, Saturday, May 2, 2020, in Philadelphia. Kyle, a rising star in the regional MMA promotion Cage Fury Fighting Championships, is still chasing his dream of getting the call to fight for UFC despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Matt Slocum / AP Photo
Matt Slocum / AP Photo
Fighter Kyle Daukaus, right, trains with his brother, Chris Daukaus, in their garage, Saturday, May 2, 2020, in Philadelphia. Kyle, a rising star in the regional MMA promotion Cage Fury Fighting Championships, is still chasing his dream of getting the call to fight for UFC despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Sporting competitions at all levels in Pennsylvania will be permitted to resume, with restrictions, under guidance issued Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration.
School sports, which were shut down when Wolf closed K-12 schools in March to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, may resume once school districts develop an athletic health and safety plan, the governor’s office said. College, recreational and youth sports may also restart.
Gatherings of players, coaches, officials and spectators will be limited to 25 for counties in the “yellow” phase of Wolf’s reopening plan, and 250, or 50% capacity, for those in the less restrictive “green” phase, according to the guidance.
Pro sports in “yellow’ counties are permitted to play without fans in the stands. Pro competitions taking place in “green” counties are permitted to be held in front no more than 250 people.
In other coronavirus-related developments Wednesday:
The Wolf administration issued new guidance on outdoor recreation Wednesday, saying businesses that offer mountain biking, outdoor mini golf, go carts, rock climbing, paintball, horse riding, tennis, archery or shooting, and similar activities can resume operation with restrictions.
Those businesses must keep their indoor spaces off-limits to the public except for restrooms, ticketing and entry. They must also prevent customers from congregating at entry gates, kiosks and concession stands, officials said.
The state Department of Health on Wednesday reported 48 additional coronavirus deaths, raising the statewide total to 6,062.
Health officials reported 410 new infections, bringing the statewide total to nearly 77,000.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than the state’s confirmed case count because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick. There is no data on how many people have fully recovered.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania.
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