As the winter sports season gets underway in the Upper Valley, indoor sports take center stage. With basketball, hockey, wrestling, bowling and swimming all beginning their seasons this week, local high schools have released varied guidelines regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Most schools are requiring masks in indoor venues, but only some are mandating that players wear them while actively competing. The schools have also taken a variety of positions regarding spectators and whether food and drinks are allowed inside:
Hanover: Masks are required for everyone except those actively playing in games, athletic director Megan Sobel said. Players on the bench, fans and coaches will wear masks. Fans will be limited, but the school is still finalizing specifics.
Hartford: Masks must be worn at all times inside Hartford School District buildings and Wendell A. Barwood Arena, where the hockey teams play. Hartford athletes will present a list of family members who are allowed to attend home games, with visiting team spectators limited to immediate family. No concessions will be sold, and no food or drink will be allowed inside. All HSD employees are required to be vaccinated.
Lebanon: Athletes and coaches will wear masks at all times, including while competing, athletic director Mike Stone said. Each home player is allowed to have four spectators on the pass list, while visiting players are allowed two spectators.
Mascoma: Masks will be required for all in attendance at all times, including players, coaches, officials and fans, athletic director Rodney Brown said. Each home player is allowed to have four spectators on the pass list, while visiting players are allowed two spectators.
Mid Vermont Christian: Masks will not be required. There is no limit on spectators, but fans will be asked if they have experienced COVID-19 symptoms, athletic director Erva Barnes said. Spectators will be divided into home and visitor sections, as well as a designated area for fans who choose to wear masks. Concessions will be sold, and eating and drinking will be allowed in the gym.
Newport: Masks will be required for spectators and in the bench area, but not for athletes while actively competing, athletic director Jeff Miller said. Each home player is allowed to have four spectators on the pass list, while visiting players are allowed two spectators.
Oxbow: Masks are required for athletes and spectators, but there are no limits on the number of fans, athletic director Derek Cipriano said. Food and drinks will not be allowed in the gym.
Rivendell: Masks will be required for everybody, including athletes while in competition, athletic director Ross Convertino said. Spectators are allowed with no restrictions on capacity. Concessions will not be sold, and no food or drinks are allowed inside.
Sharon Academy: All athletes, coaches, officials and spectators will wear masks. No limits on capacity as long as fans are following the guidelines. Food and drink will be allowed in a designated area.
Stevens: Masks are required for everybody except athletes actively competing, athletic director Doug Beaupre said. There are currently no limits on spectators.
Thetford: Masks are required for everybody at all times, including athletes engaged in competition. Athletes will be tested weekly for COVID-19. Spectators are limited to players’ immediate family, and food and drinks are not allowed inside. Family groups are expected to socially distance from one another.
White River Valley: Same guidelines as Sharon, which adopted the WRV policy.
Windsor: All athletes, coaches, officials and spectators will wear masks at all times. Coaches and officials will use handheld electronic whistles or air horns. Each home player is allowed four fans on the pass list, with no visiting spectators allowed.
Woodstock: The school board met to discuss the guidelines this past week and an official vote will take place Monday, Dec. 13, athletic director Jack Boymer said.
Benjamin Rosenberg can be reached at brosenberg@vnews.com or 603-727-3302.