There has been a pause on all sports starting on Dec. 5 at 6 a.m. to Jan. 6. This is due to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state of New Jersey.

On November 30, 2020, the governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy stated his reasoning for temporarily ending indoor and outdoor youth and adult sports is “we’re seeing outbreaks related to indoor sports. The only exception is collegiate and professional sports.”

In an effort to lower the amount of COVID-19 cases Phil Murphy wants to halt youth and adult recreational sports in an effort to lower the growing cases which have tripled since last month. Another reason is that he believes that there will be a second wave which could be worse than the first wave in March.

Only private sport related classes like swimming, dancing, gymnastics are allowed under the new order. The catches are that the lessons need to have a 10 person limit, and the people playing can’t compete. So far there have been 28 outbreaks of Covid-19 in indoor and outdoor sports, affecting 170 people. Out of the 28 outbreaks 20 came from youth hockey affecting 100 people. Some outdoor sports will be allowed as long as the total number of people does not exceed 25 ( this number is excluding athletes, coaches, referees, and personnel). Spectators will not be allowed if the amount passes 25. The order lets college and pro sports continue because they can create better safety protocols.