Published May 20, 2021
The announcement by Governor Baker and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) on May 17 regarding the removal of mandatory masks/facial coverings was reviewed and discussed by the MIAA Sports Medicine Committee Monday afternoon.
Yesterday, the SMC voted unanimously to recommend the approval of the May 17 EEA guidelines effective May 18 and all constituents provided approval.
Athletes can remove masks
This means that athletes on spring teams in active play outdoors are not required to wear a mask/facial covering.
Athletes when they are on the bench or in a dugout are not required to wear a mask.
Athletes in low-risk sports when indoors where a distance of at least 14 feet or more is consistently maintained between each participant are not required to wear a mask.
Spectators and chaperones, coaches, staff, referees, umpires and other officials who can social distance while outdoors are not required to wear a mask/face covering.
Visitors, spectators, volunteers and staff while indoors are required to wear a mask.
All athletes participating in high school sports are considered youth and fall under the youth guidelines.
As has been the case throughout the year, the final decision for a school to partake in a particular sport and/or to follow more stringent guidelines belongs at the local level.
