Masks Temporarily Required For IHSA Indoor Sports

ILLINOIS — With practices for fall sports set to begin, the Illinois High School Association announced it will follow new guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and require masks to be worn for all indoor events regardless of an individual's vaccination status. This mask directive for indoor athletic events applies to student-athletes, coaches, officials, game personnel, and fans.

In Illinois, IHSA sports that compete indoors in the fall include girls volleyball and girls swimming and diving. The masking mandate applies to all IHSA fall sport practices and contests that are conducted indoors, according to a news release. Swimmers and divers do not have to wear masks while competing, but must adhere at all other times.

The masking directive also applies to any IHSA sports that may be conducting open gyms, general conditioning, or weightlifting indoors, according to the news release.

"Illinois high school student-athletes and coaches have been resilient in dealing with myriad mitigations and unexpected changes over the past year," IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said. "We hope all Illinoisans do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 so we can quickly move beyond this and remove masks from indoor athletic events."

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday a mask mandate will be in effect for all preschool through high school students and staff throughout the state, regardless of vaccination status. The state is also offering free masks, tests and other supplies to all school districts.

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The announcement comes as the delta variant of COVID-19 continues to increase the number of new cases across the state, according to health officials. It is being described as "far more contagious than the original virus seen last year." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this week listed many Illinois counties as having a "substantial" or "high" risk of transmitting the virus.

The IHSA also said there are no restrictions at this time to scheduling or spectator limitations. There are no changes to the IHSA calendar for any sports.

Additional reporting by Eileen O'Gorman, Patch.