Many CT High School Sports Unchanged Despite New Mask Policy

CONNECTICUT — The easing of restrictions on Connecticut residents concerning the wearing of masks outdoors took effect Wednesday, but that did not necessarily translate to all high school sporting events, as many school districts chose to maintain the policy of requiring game participants and spectators to wear masks.

Updated recommendations released late last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prompted Gov. Ned Lamont to implement new coronavirus safety protocols effective May 19. Under the revised executive order, masks are no longer required outdoors, while people who have been vaccinated are not required to wear masks indoors. Unvaccinated persons must continue to wear masks indoors.

Masks are still required in settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, childcare and inside schools. With sports often considered "an extension of the classroom," many districts have opted to continue the same policy regarding athletic events through the end of this academic year.

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), the state's governing body for scholastic sports, issued new guidance to its member schools, stating:

"In accordance with the CDC and State of Connecticut guidance, this memo on CIAC mask guidance replaces previous guidelines in the CIAC Spring Sports Plan. Local health department and school district face mask policy will take precedence over CIAC guidance.

"In general, the CIAC face mask guidance will remain unchanged, with a few exceptions. Student-athletes will continue wearing face masks in all activities around active participation. This position aligns with guidance that our member schools continue with current mask policies throughout the remainder of the school year. Our primary goal is to continue supporting in-person instruction with interscholastic athletics being an extension of the school curriculum. Student-athletes may wear face masks during active competition if they so choose.

"Spectators: Any allowance for spectators/fans should align with DECD sector rules. The CIAC supports the plans established by school districts that direct the presence of adults on campus at this time. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, permissible spectator/fan attendance will be governed by local districts’ current operating plans. In alignment with updated CDC and state mask guidance, the CIAC recognizes that fully vaccinated individuals may attend both indoor and outdoor games without wearing a mask, except where required by federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including local school district policies. Spectators may be required to wear a mask when attending CIAC events where a large attendance is expected and physical distancing may not be possible."

Waterford Superintendent of Schools Thomas Giard wrote, "I wanted to confirm that the wearing of masks continues to be a requirement on school property and will be through at least June 30th. This requirement is based on the following:

1. The CT DPH/CSDE Reopening Plan is still a binding document in CT which requires masks in schools, as does our local reopening plan.
2. CT Governor’s Executive Order 9 Section 1 is still in effect which requires masks in CT schools.
3. Waterford BOE Policy on USE OF FACE COVERINGS IN SCHOOL requires masks in our schools through June 30, 2021."

All 19 schools belonging to the Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) are continuing with the mask-wearing policy. A message to all league athletic directors from Commissioner Gary Makowicki reads, "The ECC will continue with the mask wearing policy through the end of the spring regular season and tournaments. Many ECC schools, as part of their reopening plan to bring all students back to campus, are requiring masks to be worn on school grounds. We ask that you respect and honor the league policy."

A number of athletic directors who responded to Patch's inquiry indicated their districts would not divert from the mask policy through the end of this school year. Those include Bloomfield, Canton, Lyme-Old Lyme, Newington, Stafford, Wethersfield and magnet schools associated with the Capitol Region Education Council.

On the other hand, some districts are easing their regulations in accordance with the governor's edict, though still encouraging spectators to exercise good sense.

In Windsor Locks, coaches and players will still adhere to the game policy of wearing masks when not competing on the field, but fans are permitted to be mask-free unless in large groups.

Two parents per volleyball player are permitted to attend home events in Greenwich. Face coverings are required and safe distancing must be maintained. For outdoor sports, spectators are permitted but wearing face coverings is recommended and safe distancing must be maintained, according to Director of Athletics Gus Lindine.

Steve Trifone of Cheshire High School told Patch, "We are still encouraging masks outdoors on school grounds as much as possible." He said attendance is still limited to 50 percent capacity outdoors for the remainder of the school year, and masks are still mandatory indoors for boys volleyball.

At Berlin High School and McGee Middle School, anyone who is fully vaccinated (two weeks past their second shot) is no longer required to don masks. However, district officials ask spectators "seated in a crowded area with multiple families" to continue wearing masks.

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