SAINT PAUL, MN – The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Sports Medicine Advisory Council announced their unanimous recommendation to lift the outdoor youth sports mask mandate on Thursday. Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, has long advocated for the removal of the youth sports mask mandate, and sent a letter along with 16 other House colleagues to Gov. Walz Wednesday urging him to rescind the youth sports mask mandate during competition.
“The Governor needs to remove the mask mandate for children competing outdoors in youth sports,” said Rep. Robbins. “For months, parents and coaches across the state have contacted my colleagues and me asking us to share their stories of the hardship masks pose to our student athletes. I support the MSHSL and echo their calls to remove the sports mask mandate while young people are competing outdoors.”
Findings from both the CDC and World Health Organizations show that children should not wear masks during physical activity as it can cause difficulty breathing. Data also shows that household and community spread of COVID-19 from children is minimal, while transmission rates for young people have remained low.