Even though some school systems (like Lower Merion) have not yet decided how, or if they’re going to conduct classes, the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) announced Wednesday (July 29) that high schools in Pennsylvanai will be playing a full schedule of sports this fall.
PIAA released a 25-page PDF that provides general guidance for all sports and specific guidance for each of the eight fall sports that it oversees. Each sport was given a “level of risk” rating, as assigned by the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Association).
- Cross Country The NFHS has determined that cross country is a lower risk sport (sports that can be done with social distancing or individually with no sharing of equipment or the ability to clean the equipment between use by
competitors). - Field Hockey The NFHS has determined that field hockey is a moderate risk sport (sports that involve close, sustained contact, but with protective equipment in place that may reduce the likelihood of respiratory particle transmission between participants OR intermittent close contact OR group sports OR sports that use equipment that can’t be cleaned between participants).
- Football The NFHS has determined that football is a higher risk sport that involves close, sustained contact between participants, lack of significant protective barriers, and high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants.
- Golf The NFHS has determined that golf is a lower risk sport.
- Soccer The NFHS has determined that soccer is a moderate risk sport
- Tennis The NFHS has determined that Tennis is moderate risk sport.
- Volleyball The NFHS has determined that volleyball is a moderate risk sport.
- Water Polo PIAA does not indicate the risk level for water polo
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CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECTATORS:
At this time spectators for K-12 events are not allowed.
The Preliminary School Sports Guidance document which was released by the Governor’s Office states that, “The addition of visitors and spectators will be contingent upon future health conditions within the state and local communities.” We anticipate that more information will be forthcoming from the Governor’s Office and Department of Education.
Should spectators eventually be permitted to attend contests, we anticipate that such
attendance will be subject to some important limitations that were also included in the Preliminary School Sports Guidance:
Seating areas, including bleachers, must adhere to social distancing requirements of at
least 6 feet of spacing for anyone not in the same household. To assist with proper social distancing, areas should be clearly marked. Adults must face coverings (masks or face shields) at all times.
Spectators should not enter the field of play or bench areas.
Nonessential visitors, spectators, and volunteers should be limited when possible, including activities with external groups or organizations.
PIAA Board Approved Guidelines, 29-3
Triblive reported that the PIAA board voted 29-3 in-favor of the guidelines. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, “One of the no votes came from Jonathan Bauer, who represents the Pennsylvania Principals Association. Bauer commented that the guidelines are not consistent with return-to-school guidelines in the state.”