A recent study determined that the surface of sports balls, notably football, golf, cricket, and tennis balls, are unlikely to harbor SARS-CoV-2 in a manner that is compatible with risk of developing COVID-19 from handling the ball during normal play. (LINK TO STUDY)
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) Sport Science and Medicine Commission, the USTA Sport Science Committee, and the USTA Medical Advisory Group support this conclusion.
USTA Middle States Programming: COVID-19 FAQ
UPDATED: January 19, 2022
Additional programming updates and information can be found on our COVID-19 Updates page. Additional questions can be emailed to communications@ms.usta.com
Statement on enforcing mandates set by our states and municipalities:
It is important to remember that mandates, orders and other local rules are being put in place by states and municipalities across the country. For example, at times different mask and travel rules have been ordered by all four states in our section (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia).
It is the responsibility of USTA Middle States to comply with all state mandates currently in place.
State orders supersede any organization or facility rule, and USTA Middle States is required to comply with any state order or mandate of this type. Specific questions about the mandate can be sent to each respective state office, or local medical officials.
In the case that a local municipality, organization or facility has a stricter rule in place than the state, that local rule/mandate should be followed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
*Note: These situations and statements can change at any time, and apply only to USTA programming in the USTA Middle States section.
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