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In just a few short months, fall sports will return to the Gem State. 

And while concerns over the potential future spread of COVID-19 persist, the National Federation of High School Athletics released guidelines on how fall athletics should make a comeback across the nation. 

“This is not a one-size-fits-all plan,” wrote Karissa Niehoff, NFHS executive director, in a Wednesday morning press release. “Depending on the specific circumstances of a state with respect to the containment of the virus, its progression through the various phases of returning to activities could be much different than another state.”

The NFHS outlined a three-phase plan, emphasizing the need for constant health screenings and the limitation of athletes and coaches in a single space. During Phase 1, no more than 10 people could gather, neither inside nor outside. 

Locker rooms, under the NFHS plan, could not be used until Phase 2, and communal water stations would also be banned until Phase 3. 

A full breakdown of the plan can be found here. 

But according to Niehoff, these plans won’t be consistent from state to state.

Mike Federico, assistant director of the Idaho High School Activities Association, said state-specific plans are in the works and should be released soon. 

“We are currently working with steering committees for each sport/activity and will eventually have guidelines in place,” Federico said. “We will give an update at our June board meeting on the progress of each committee.”

The IHSAA’s next board meeting will take place June 3. 

"Our hope is that students can return to school-based athletics and activities in any and all situations where it can be done smartly," wrote Niehoff. "When it comes to education-based sports and performing arts within our nation’s schools, nothing is more important than the health and safety of the participants AND the individuals conducting those programs."