The fall sports season has begun at Wahkiakum Schools, and with it comes new requirements designed to try and keep students and the community safe during a pandemic.

Here are some of the practices that will affect football, volleyball, and cross country.

Masks are not required for outdoor sports or for athletes competing in low-contact or moderate contact indoor sports like volleyball. Masks are recommended for indoor practices.

All coaches and other support personnel must wear a face covering indoors in the K-12 setting, regardless of their vaccination status.

Masks are recommended in settings where unvaccinated athletes, coaches, and other support personnel are in close proximity, like sidelines and huddles.

All teams must wear masks while traveling on buses or in other forms of public transportation, regardless of vaccination status.

Cohorts are suggested for practice, warm-ups and travel.

Unvaccinated athletes in moderate contact indoor sports like volleyball are recommended, but not required, to participate in screen testing once or twice a week.

Any athlete who tests positive for covid-19 must be excluded and removed from the venue. Any unvaccinated teammate, etc., who is identified as a close contact should quarantine immediately. Fully vaccinated athletes should be tested 3-5 days after a known exposure and wear a mask for 14 days or until they receive a negative test.

All spectators attending indoor K-12 sports activities must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. They should be seated in family units, three feet apart from other families.

Spectators are not required to wear masks outdoors, but they are recommended, especially for unvaccinated people in crowded public settings.

Fully vaccinated referees do not have to wear face coverings indoors when they are actively officiating. When they are not running, masks are required. Unvaccinated officials must wear masks at all times, unless they participate in screening testing.

Face coverings are required for all athletes, coaches, trainers, and support personnel in weight rooms, regardless of vaccination status, because weight rooms are often poorly ventilated, crowded, and used by athletes from multiple sports. Physical distancing is recommended.

Masks are required for students and teachers in physical education classes.