STEVENSVILLE, Md. – The Bayside Conference has announced a set of new protocols for the upcoming Winter 2021-22 high school sports season.

These protocols will go into effect at the start of the winter high school sports season. All students participating in an interscholastic athletic activity that requires the removal of a face mask will be subject to the following testing protocols:

• Surveillance Testing Program
  • Unvaccinated students must be tested for COVID-19 at a minimum of once every 14 calendar days
  • Vaccinated students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the testing program. However, if there is a positive case of COVID-19 within the student’s cohort, he/she must be tested for COVID-19.
    • Student athletes who miss a scheduled test for COVID-19 are ineligible to participate in practices or competition until the COVID-19 test has been taken and negative test results are provided to the student’s school
    • Student athletes who test positive for COVID-19 are ineligible for participation in practices or competition until the student completes the exclusion/quarantine requirement set forth by the local school system

Athletic coaches will also be required to adhere to the Surveillance Testing Program, in addition to all COVID-19 testing protocols established by the local school system. Officials who wear a face mask while officiating do not need to be tested regularly or show proof of vaccination. Officials who chose to officiate while not wearing a face mask will be required to participate in routine testing or provide proof of vaccination.

To ensure spectator safety, indoor competition venues will be open at limited capacity so that appropriate physical distancing measures can be taken. A limited number of spectator passes will be issued to a student athlete for his/her guests to attend home and away competitions held in indoor facilities. Four passes will be issued for home competitions, while two will be issued for away events. Procedures will be established by the schools, and any entry fees will still apply for pass holders.

All spectators will be required to wear a mask while inside an indoor competition venue.