What’s the mask rule for basketball players, coaches and spectators?
Most Berks basketball players won’t be required to wear masks while on the court this season unless they’re playing at a school which requires it.
The lone exception within the BCIAA is at Reading High, which is requiring all players, coaches and spectators to be masked, due to COVID protocols.
Last season, the first played since the outbreak of the coronavirus, all players, coaches and spectators were required to wear protective masks, though enforcement and participation varied greatly. Many players wore the masks as “chinstraps,” below the nose or mouth, and administrators at some schools did not police the policy. Masks do not effectively control the spread of germs unless both the nose and mouth are covered.
This season, which tips Friday night, active players on the court won’t have to worry about wearing masks. But as soon as they come off the floor most will be required to mask up while on the bench. The same goes for coaches and officials. Boyertown, a member of Pioneer Athletic Conference, is following the same rule: Players are exempt only while active.
Three Berks schools are making masks optional: Oley Valley, Tulpehocken and Twin Valley. Bench players and coaches are not required to mask up at those schools.
Officials have the option of wearing a mask at every Berks school, with the exception of Reading High, where it is required. At Wilson and Wyomissing, officials are exempt from the mask policy while they are “active” but not upon entering or exiting the building.
Masks are required for spectators at all Berks schools with three exceptions: Oley Valley, Tulpehocken and Twin Valley. They are optional at those facilities.
Visiting teams are expected to mask up at all BCIAA schools, with the exception of five which make it optional: Brandywine Heights, Conrad Weiser, Oley Valley, Tulpehocken and Twin Valley.
Berks teams playing on the road will follow the mask policy of the host school.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages anyone age 2 or older to wear a mask when in indoor public places.
COVID numbers are on the rise in Berks County, and across the nation.