Home Twin Lakes Conference COVID winter sports regulations

Twin Lakes Conference COVID winter sports regulations

UPDATED 11/19/2020

On November 10 and expanded on November 16, the governor updated the state of Iowa Proclamation of Disaster Emergency.  Within the proclamation, direct reference was made currently through December 10, impacting sporting and recreational events.  Local districts may extend these rules beyond the proclamation if necessary.
  1. Sporting and recreational gatherings:  Except for HS, collegiate, or professional sporting or recreational gathering, all sporting or recreational gatherings of any size are prohibited.  This includes youth and adult group sporting and recreational activities, including but not limited to group swimming lessons, swim teams, dancing, gymnastics, organized basketball games.  This does not prohibit individual sporting or recreational activities.
  2. HS sponsored sporting and extracurricular events:  Sporting, recreational, and other extracurricular gatherings sponsored by HS, including practices, games, competitions, and performances are not prohibited by this section, provided that all participants in the gathering comply with the following requirements for spectators and masks.
  3. Spectators limited:  The gathering organizer and all spectators must ensure that spectators are limited to no more than two spectators for each student athlete, performer, or competitor participating in the gathering.  Spectators may only be present during the time that student or the student’s team is participating in a game, meet, or competition.  The gathering organizer and all spectators must also ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group of spectators.
  4. Spectator masks:  Although student participants are not required to wear a mask while participating in an event, all spectators over the age of two shall wear a mask or other face covering for all gatherings.
  5. A social, community, recreational, leisure, or sporting gathering or event of more than 15 people held indoors or more than 30 people held outdoors shall be prohibited at all locations and venues unless all participants in the gathering who are two or older wear masks at all times while participating in the gathering, except while eating or drinking.
  6. If multiple competitions or games are held on the same day, at the conclusion of each competition or game, the indoor gym will be cleared prior to the start of the next competition or game.
  7. Each athlete will be allotted two tickets per game or competition.  If you do not have a ticket, you will not be allowed to attend in person.  Competitors can stay to watch other events on the same night that they perform.  For example, the girls basketball team is allowed to watch the boys basketball team and vice versa if both teams are competing on the same night at the same venue.
  8. Cheerleaders, coaches, managers, etc. are not considered participants; therefore, they will not be allowed two tickets per game or competition.
  9. Each district will monitor if and how concession stands will be operated.  ESC currently plans to operate a concession stand for varsity matches only.
  10. Student athletes will be allowed to ride with their parents to and from away competitions, but must notify coaching staff ahead of time.  Players traveling with parents will be required to have their son/daughter at the respective venue at the same time as those traveling by bus.
  11. The district is planning to live stream games at as many levels as possible.
  12. No pep bands will be allowed until further notice.
  13. Cheerleaders will be cheering at home events only until further notice.
  14. No JH or elementary practices, games, or performances that are extra-curricular in nature can currently take place.
  15. Currently the district is not allowing little league, AAU, or other groups to practice on school facilities until further evaluations are made through December 10.
  16. These rules will be expanded as more details are made public and are not met to be all inclusive as conditions are constantly changing.
  17. A COVID ticket is for admittance into a game but does not admit for free.
While it is disappointing to have limits placed on school activities, ultimately it is our goal to have safe activities with the hope as many activities can be maintained for as long as possible.  We are working through managerial procedures on how we can best address the limitations provided to us as a district.  Again your cooperation and understanding will be greatly appreciated.  If the proclamation ends or is extended, the district will work to keep constituents informed.
Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Does the proclamation permit the following to perform at the event: pep bands, cheerleaders, dance teams, or national anthem singers? 

A1: The proclamation does not currently limit the attendance or participation of other supporting participants in the event. They are not spectators. They would be required to wear masks per total gathering limitations and would be required to properly social distance from others in attendance. They do not get two additional spectators as they are not the sporting event’s participants.

Q2: How are “multiple games” defined? Must spectators for the first game leave after that game or may they remain for the second game? 

A2: Two spectators are permitted for each athletic participant in an event. Separate games are separate gatherings. Spectators need to leave or wait to arrive, as applicable, unless they are also one of the two spectators for an athletic participant. If a spectator has a student-athlete competing in a first event and another competing in a later event, the spectator may remain at the facility once they are there.

Q3: Can participants from the first event remain and watch the second event (boys and girls doubleheader, or junior varsity and varsity doubleheader)? 

A3: Yes, participants may watch the preceding or following event in which they are already present for.

Q4: If the proclamation permits the following to be part of an event, does it permit two spectators for any or all of the following: coaches, managers, trainers, statisticians, video operators, announcers, etc.? 

A4: The proclamation does not currently limit the attendance or participation of other supporting participants in the event. They are not spectators. They would be required to wear masks per total gathering limitations and would be required to properly social distance from others in attendance. They do not get two additional spectators as they are not the sporting event’s participants.

Q5: Are media members permitted to attend events? Should they be limited to a certain number? 

A5: The proclamation does not currently limit members of the media from attending the event. They would be required to wear masks per total gathering limitations and would be required to properly social distance from others in attendance.

Q6: What kind of gatherings are my high school athletic teams allowed to have? 

A6: Sporting event-related activities for high school sports are permitted, which would include competitions, practices, workouts, and open gyms. Social, community, business, or leisure gatherings (team banquets, meals, awards, ceremonies, etc.) are restricted to no more than 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.

Q7: With junior high activities prohibited, can weight training or workouts continue? 

A7: Weight training and workouts would be considered gatherings and are prohibited.

Comments are closed.