Northern

USTA Northern COVID-19 Temporary Policies

December 17, 2020

(12/17/2020)

 

Under Executive Order 20-103 effective Dec. 19, 2020, indoor facilities in Minnesota will be allowed to reopen and tennis can resume under the following restrictions:
 
  • Masks must be worn on court by all players
  • Players must maintain a distance of 12 feet from others
 
Additional information on what is and isn't allowed at this time may be found in USTA Northern's FAQ document.
 
 
 
Statement from Becky Cantellano, USTA Northern Executive Director and CEO:
 
 
We’re back!
 
As of Saturday, Dec. 19, the indoor tennis facilities that keep us active across Minnesota will be allowed to reopen under Executive Order 20-103. This is great news for our players, pros and facilities who can get back to the sport we love with a couple of restrictions.
 
  • Masks must be worn on court
  • Players must remain 12 feet apart
 
It’s not the way I ever envisioned playing tennis but I’m excited to get out and play while helping keep everyone safe. I mentioned it in my previous statement but it bears repeating. The indoor facilities have done incredible work throughout the summer and fall to adapt their day-to-day operation and make it safe for us to show up and play; they deserve a ton of credit and I know that we all appreciate their response to a difficult year.
 
If you have any questions regarding the Executive Order and what it means for our sport, I encourage you to check out the accompanying document on this post. Let’s get back to tennis.
 
I’ll see you on court!
 
Becky Cantellano

 

More information on Playing Tennis Safely for Players and Facilities can be found below.

________________________
 
(6/8/20)

 

UPDATE: USTA Northern has developed the following Return to Play documents to illustrate the phased restart of programming.

 

 

As we return to the courts, see the following guidelines on keeping yourself and others as safe as possible while enjoying summer tennis.

 

 

_______________________

 
USTA COVID-19 Best Practices
Tennis Industry United Resource Page
Net Generation "Tennis at Home" Activities
USTA Northern Family Activity Book (print and have fun!)
_____________________________________________________
(6/1/20)
 

As announced recently, USTA Northern has allocated a significant amount of money to aid providers in purchasing equipment or other necessary items to restart programming as safely as possible. These Program Preparedness Grants are active now. 

 

 
APPLY NOW
______________________________________
(5/27/20)

 

Effective June 1, the USTA will delegate decisions regarding the resumption or continued suspension of USTA programming to the 17 individual sections. 

 

On that date, USTA Northern will be lifting the section-wide program suspension and will work with local providers to organize programming in accordance with government guidance and with an emphasis on player safety. The return to play will occur in multiple phases throughout USTA programs.

 

As part of our focus on local play, no ranking points will be offered for any USTA tournaments through the month of June. Play opportunities around our section will be communicated as they become available. We appreciate your patience over the last couple months and can’t wait to work with our facility partners to safely resume programming in the coming weeks.

 
_____________________________________________________
(4/29/20)
 

Update on USTA Northern Junior Play

_____________________________________________________
(4/24/20)
 

As a result of a recommendation from the National Junior Competition Committee and subsequent approval by the USTA Board of Directors, the 2020 USTA Zone Team Championships and 2020 USTA National Team Championships have been canceled. 

______________________________________________________________

(4/22/20)

 

Playing Tennis Safely: Guidelines for Players and Facilities - April 22, 2020

The USTA has created two "Playing Tennis Safely" documents, one geared to players and one geared to tennis facilities, that have been developed by the USTA in conjunction with its Medical Advisory Group and its Industry partners. These documents provide extensive guidelines for the safe return to the courts. 

 

By following these guidelines as well as those of local governments and health agencies, facilities and players will be able to make informed decisions as to when play can recommence.

 

Playing Tennis Safely For Players

Playing Tennis Safely For Facilities

_____________________________________________________
(4/13/20)
 
Due to the continued situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and after discussions with the USTA Medical Advisory Committee*, effective immediately the USTA will extend the suspension of USTA sanctioned products and events through May 31. 
 

In addition, to ensure that play taking place at local facilities will be the focus once the pandemic subsides, the following events will be canceled for 2020: 
 

• USTA League National Championships

• USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championships

• USTA Junior Intersectional Team Championships

 

The USTA Medical Advisory Committee includes: Dr. Brian Hainline, Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA and USTA Board Member; Dr. Brian Daniels, MD, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla., and Medical Director, US Open; Dr. Mark Kovacs, Senior Director of Sports Science and Health, Cleveland Cavaliers; Dr. Bernard Camins, Medical Director for Infection Prevention at Mt. Sinai; Mike Rodriguez, USTA Senior Director and US Open Security.

 

For more information on affected programs, see the USTA statement on suspension of events.

Additional information and FAQs regarding the rationale and decision-making process behind the cancellation of National events can be found on the COVID-19 FAQ page.

_____________________________________________________
USTA Statement on Safety of Playing Tennis During COVID-19 Pandemic (4/3/20)
 
Funding Resources

USTA and USTA Northern Grants

Otto Bremer Trust Emergency Fund

Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund For Coronavirus

 
USTA Northern Junior Updates

Section Junior Programming Update (3/24/20)

 
Junior Competition Rankings Update (3/23/20)
 

The USTA National Junior Competition Committee approved the suspension of the calculation and publishing of the USTA National Standing List for all age divisions until further notice. The current list, calculated and published on March 18, 2020, will remain as the most recent list until tournament play is resumed.

 
USTA Statement (Updated 3/23/20)

 

Due to the continued situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and after discussions with the USTA Medical Advisory Committee, effective immediately the USTA will extend the suspension of USTA sanctioned products and events, including Adult and Junior Tournaments, USTA League, Junior Team Tennis, Team Challenge, Team Tournaments, USTA Schools programs, Tennis on Campus and Wheelchair events, through May 3. Additionally, recognizing the evolving and fast-changing nature of this situation, the USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about events and activities taking place after May 3.

 

All Category 1 and Super Category 2 National Adult Tournaments with an ITF status, all ITF Junior events and all USTA Pro Circuit and professional events will align with the same calendar as the ITF, ATP and WTA, and be suspended through June 7.

 

Both the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., and the USTA National Campus, in the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Fla., will remain closed for play and instructional opportunities through May 3. Any patron who wishes to cancel participation in a scheduled activity should contact the specific location for refund information. These policies will be in effect pending additional guidance or directives from each local governmental agency and the CDC. The USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about all activities at these facilities.

 

USTA Northern Statement

 

The health of our tennis family - from players and parents to staff and volunteers - has always been and remains our highest priority. USTA Northern is working closely with our national and local partners to monitor the ever-evolving situation associated with the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

With all USTA sanctioned play and events currently suspended through May 3, we will communicate relevant information and guidance for rescheduling and other items as available. This is a fluid situation and our staff is working to respond to matters as they develop. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on this webpage going forward.

 

We appreciate the partnership of our facilities and associations during these uncertain times. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to direct them to the appropriate staff member.

 

Thank you for your understanding and patience as this situation unfolds.

 

Stay healthy,

 

USTA Northern Executive Director Becky Cantellano

 

Facility Closures

All facilities in Minnesota are closed under executive order by Gov. Tim Walz.

All facilites in North Dakota are closed under executive order by Gov. Doug Burgum.

 

Helpful Links:

Centers for Disease Control

Minnesota Department of Health

South Dakota Department of Health

North Dakota Department of Health

Wisconsin Department of Health

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