High School Athletes in Michigan are now required to take weekly COVID tests.

The decision comes in anticipation of spring sports across the state.

Governor Whitmer’s new mandate hopes to reduce COVID-19 numbers for athletes, and therefore attempt to allow the state’s programs to be more consistent for the rest of the spring seasons.

Rapid antigen testing will be required for Michigan athletes in order to participate. The new mandate is also a response to an increase in COVID-19 cases among young people in Michigan, which has been one of the hotspots for the US so far this year.