November 17 Update

The clarifications are following the Nov. 10 and Nov. 16 proclamations from Gov. Kim Reynolds and guidance from the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Department of Public Health. As stated above, any subsequent proclamations or clarifications supersede past IHSAA announcements in regards to COVID-19 and member school events, gatherings, and guidance. 

Gatherings

Per the Nov. 16 proclamation addressing Sporting and recreational gatherings (Section 6, Part C) High School-sponsored sporting and extracurricular events (Section 6, Part D): 

  • High school activities (practices, competition) are permitted while following state gatherings and Department of Education guidelines.
  • Junior high school activities (practices, competition) are prohibited through December 10, 2020.
  • 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-athlete or their team is participating in an event.
    • Spouses and families of coaches are not currently included as qualifying for two spectators per athlete.
    • Supervising administrators may attend, but no additional spectators may accompany them.
  • Gathering organizers and spectators must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group of spectators.
  • All spectators over the age of two must wear a mask or other face-covering for all gatherings.
  • These guidelines apply to indoor and outdoor events.

 FAQs

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.