RIL and its clubs must comply with the World Rugby (“WR”) Safe Return to Rugby guidelines (“WR COVID-19 Guidelines”) and the USA Rugby Return to Play (“RTP”) Guidelines (“USA Rugby COVID-19 Guidelines”) that regulate rugby training and competitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both of these documents require RIL and its clubs to comply with government mandated COVID-19 guidelines.

The State of Illinois, US Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), WR COVID-19 Guidelines and USARFU COVID-19 Guidelines allow RIL to determine and manage the resumption of training and matches. The RIL Compliance Committee is responsible for implementing COVID-19 policies and procedures, assuring RIL clubs comply and communicating and updating a handbook, protocol and COVID-19 rules. The Executive Committee has also appointed Tim Walsh, Compliance Committee Chair as the LAU (local area union) Compliance Officer and John Honcharuk, RIL Medical Officer as the RIL COVID-19 Manager.

In addition to the WR and USA Rugby RTP guidelines, Rugby Illinois activity during the pandemic will be managed in compliance with two government body’s standards:; CDC guidance including the considerations for Youth Sports and Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People; and the Illinois Department of Public Health and Department of Commerce and Economic opportunity Restore Illinois’ five-phased plan to reopen the state including its mitigation tier and bridge guidance and Restore Illinois’ All Sports Policy that assigns rugby as a Higher Risk sport and sets four levels of play depending on the phase of the current health plan and the sport’s assigned risk. Current statuses as of April 4, 2020 are:

• Restore Illinois Five-Phased Public Health Plan is at Phase 4
• USA Rugby Return to Play Stage Guidelines is at Stage 5.
• Restore Illinois All Sports Policy is at Level 3 for full contact, flag and touch rugby.
  As a result here is what is currently allowed: