For those wondering when youth sports will begin as well as if summer high school sports and band activities, Governor Jim Justice answered the question today during his daily press conference.

 

On Monday, June 8, low contact youth sports, including Little League and soccer, can begin practice. Also, on that day, the WVSSAC three-week sanctioned summer training program can begin. Monday will also see the opening of adult sports facilities such as indoor tennis courts, racquetball, outdoor basketball courts and “others,” which were not specified.

 

Justice went even further during the conference. He said actual game activities can begin on June 22. The governor said youth sports games with spectators, outdoor sporting events with spectators, and outdoor equestrian events with spectators can start that day.

 

However, there will be conditions with the openings of all the above listed events.

 

“At this point in time there will be allowed to be outdoor events, provided that there is absolute and mandatory social distancing,” said Justice. “Guidelines will be up on our Web site soon.”

 

Justice said events such as Little League games can take place as long as social distancing between the spectators, such as “moms and dads,” keep up with the social distancing requirements.

 

The governor spoke about his dismay regarding a livestock event in Jackson County where he said hundreds of individuals were crammed into an area, including those from out of state. He said, already, there are two positive cases reported from that event.

 

“We can’t watch you in everything that you do,” said Justice.

 

Monday is technically Week 6 of the re-openings in West Virginia. However, the actual openings will not take place Monday, which is June 1, but on Friday, which is June 5. On that day, guidance for movie theaters and casinos will be allowed to open. Justice said guidelines will be posted on this Web site soon.

 

Justice was able to begin the conference with good news. Once again, there were no reported deaths from the Coronavirus.

 

“It’s a good day because we don’t have any additional deaths. Let’s hope we can string a few of these together,” said Justice on no new deaths reported since Wednesday. “I’m not naïve enough to thing that there won’t be any more but hope we can.”

 

As for numbers, Justice touched on a few involving COVID-19. He said the state currently has 1,241 individuals who have recovered from the virus, while dealing with 636 cases remain active.

 

Justice said 11 additional inmates have tested positive at Huttonsville Correctional Center in Randolph County. The previous total was 105 of inmates and staff. The governor added no additional staff has tested positive.

 

Dr. Clay Marsh addressed people sharing information from the World Health Organization’s wearing masks. He said the past information was related to information on medical professionals not having enough of them and people not wearing them properly. Marsh, the state’s Coronavirus Czar, said the CDC has switched its position to wearing masks.

 

“The medical evidence suggests the most important new component of the reopening and living with the COVID virus (is wearing a mask),” said Marsh, who once again stated that the masks protect others from the disease, not the person wearing them. Marsh called it altruistic effort.