Sunday games may be in the future for local high school sports teams.

The California Interscholastic Federation announced in a memo sent to member schools on Wednesday that it will temporarily suspend Bylaw 504.M, which prohibits interscholastic competitions on Sundays. Schools now have another day open to make up games postponed because of coronavirus health and safety protocols.

“As a result of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CIF is temporarily suspending Bylaw 504.M for the remainder of the 2022 winter sports season,” the CIF stated in the memo, adding that practices are still not allowed on Sundays.

“While the provision in Bylaw 504.M prohibiting a school from interscholastic participation (practice and/or games) on seven consecutive 24-hour days is being temporarily suspended, CIF Bylaw 506 (Practice Allowance) remains in effect.”

Several teams from the Manteca area have already had to reschedule games. On Thursday, girls basketball teams from Manteca High, Sierra and Lathrop had their games called off. Manteca’s home game against Kimball this Saturday has also been postponed.

East Union’s girls basketball team nearly cancelled its Valley Oak League opener on Tuesday after multiple players tested positive for COVID-19. The Lancers wound up competing with just six available players and managed to win 52-47 at Kimball.

The regular season for winter sports ends early next month. The final contest dates in the Sac-Joaquin Section are Jan. 26 for wrestling team duals, Feb. 5 for league wrestling tournaments, Feb 4 for soccer, Feb. 11 for basketball.

The CIF previously suspended Bylaw 504.M in late August as football games were getting cancelled in Northern California because of the Caldor and Dixie wildfires.

Ripon High’s football program was among those affected, as its game at Sonora was moved from Friday to Saturday and ultimately the following Monday. A day later, Ripon was left scrambling once again as its next opponent backed out because of a coronavirus outbreak on campus.