New high school activities guidelines issued

With the surge in COVID-19 cases in the State of Wyoming the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) updated their sports and activities guidelines on Monday.

In addition to the original, overall requirements of social distancing, including screening of athletes, participants, coaches and officials, and sanitizing measures, face coverings now must always be worn by coaches, staff, officials, parents and spectators while in the building.

For spectators the requirements have changed as well.

While different households must physically distance themselves from other households while watching events, they are now required to wear face coverings at all times while inside the building, regardless of whether they are socially distance.

Schools are required to develop a plan to include visiting spectators in the total number of spectators allowed by the current health orders and directives.

With direct regards to basketball, face coverings will be optional while athletes are participating, but are required at all other times while in the building, including coaches.

All event workers must always wear face coverings while in the building and gloves may be worn when appropriate.

No team dinners will be held during the season to assist in limiting exposures.

There are big changes for cheerleading, too.

Cheer squads will cheer from the bleachers only during basketball and wrestling. They will only be allowed on the floor during time-outs. They may also perform at half-time or during intermission breaks.

As long as proper social distancing is maintained, squads are allowed on the floor during the National Anthem.

Coaches must always wear face coverings while in the building.

There will be no throwing of spirit items into the crowd, either, like small basketballs, t-shirts and the like.

Post season the State Spirit competition will be held on Thursday, January 28 for 3A squads and January 29 for 4A and Co-ed squads. A virtual option will be utilized if they are unable to have the in-person event at the Casper Events Center.

For wrestling, all previous rules remain the same with the addition of only two teams per gym will be allowed to compete at the same time. Only one mat in the gym may be used and dropping a dividing curtain does not constitute two gyms.

At this time, all athletics and activities within the Hot Springs County School District are cancelled until at least December 2. There will be no in person practices of any kind during this period.