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Winter sports athletes who have received the vaccination for COVID-19 will not be required to wear masks during any sports competition this season, according to a release sent out by the CIAC on friday afternoon.
Unvaccinated athletes will be required to wear masks in sports, except in sports where masks can pose a safety risk. Masks will be required at all other times during the games or meets.
Multi-team events will be allowed this season in indoor track and field, wrestling or gymnastics this season. Teams can also play out-of state games. Most competition last winter was just within the league.
The full winter sports plan is expected to be released some time next week.
Last winter, basketball and hockey players, both boys and girls, had to wear masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Competition was not held for wrestling and competitive cheer.
Most competition was held in leagues only. Spectators were limited. League playoffs were held, but not state championships — for the sports of basketball, hockey and boys swimming, it was the second straight year due to the pandemic.
And there were many other protocols to hold an indoor winter season that lasted less than two months. This was all before vaccinations were available to high school athletes.
The outdoor sports this fall season have been conducted without wearing masks, but girls volleyball players have worn masks for their matches held indoors. Girls swimmers do not have to wear masks during competition.
Practice for girls basketball, boys ice hockey and wrestling begins Nov. 29, the season begins Dec. 13. Practice for both boys basketball, boys and girls indoor track and field, gymnastics and boys swimming begins Dec. 2 with games and meets to commence on Dec. 16.
joseph.morelli@hearstmediact.com; @nhrJoeMorelli
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