IHSA Clarifies Masking Regulations For Winter Sports

On November 19th the IHSA sent out mask clarification guidelines to member schools about COVID mitigation measures at basketball games for the 2021-22 school year.

Despite multiple appeals to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there will be a mask mandate for all those in attendance at basketball games until further notice. That includes players, coaches, officials, and fans regardless of a person’s vaccination status.

Because of this, the mandatory mask timeout will occur at the first dead ball under the 4:00 mark of each quarter. The mask timeout is to be 1:30 in length. There will be no mask break in any overtime period.

So far as play on the court, the jump ball to begin the game and any overtimes has returned for this season.

As for wrestling, the athletes themselves do not have to wear masks while competing. However, coaches, officials, and fans will have a mask mandate.