MA School Sports Players, Coaches, Fans Can Ditch Masks Outdoors

MASSACHUSETTS — A week of outdoor school athletic events in the buidling late spring heat just got a little more comfortable for high school athletes, coaches, referees and their fans.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association on Tuesday morning said it will follow new guidelines from the state's Executive Office of Energy and Environment Affairs and allow both competitors and fans of outdoor events to ditch the face masks as of Tuesday afternoon's contests.

The decision comes one day after Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said face masks will no longer be required when playing youth sports outdoors as of Tuesday. Baker also said Monday that the state will lift all coronavirus-related business restrictions on May 29 instead of Aug. 1 as had been announced.

The new rules apply to spring sports teams that play outdoors only. When indoors playing what are considered moderate- or high-risk sports because of close contact — such as boys volleyball — athletes, coaches, fans and officials must continue to mask up through the end of the school year.

Indoor athletes in low-risk sports that can allow for 14 feet of distancing — such as gymnastics — do not need to wear masks while competing.

The new outdoor rule applies to both players in the game and those on the bench and sidelines, as well as fans, officials and coaches.

All other rule modifications approved for spring sports will continue to be enforced through the end of this season.

Each community and school district has the authority to enact stricter mask requirements and spectator limits if they choose.

The MIAA Sports Medicine Committee unanimously approved the new protocols on Tuesday. The full EEA guidelines can be found here.

For the purpose for the rest of the spring season, the MIAA said all school events will fall in line with "youth sports" guidelines.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: MA Masks Can Soon Come Off During Outdoor Games, Recess, Camps