(Austin) – The University Interscholastic League (UIL) released an updated athletics and activities calendar for the 2020 fall semester on Tuesday morning, along with extensive guidelines for practices, rehearsals, competitions, and facilities.
Seguin is the only school in the KWED/ Seguin Daily News coverage area that will be heavily impacted by the new time table. The start dates for 5A and 6A programs have essentially been pushed back a full month, while the dates are basically the same as they were before for Navarro (4A) and Marion’s (3A) classifications.
The first day of practice for both football and volleyball athetes in 5A schools has been postponed to Sept. 7. The first day for volleyball matches is Sept. 14, and the first football games can be played on Sept. 24. Those changes effectively mean a delay of four full weeks for those sports.
The 5A playoff certification dates have been pushed back to Nov. 17 in volleyball and Dec. 5 in football. The 5A volleyball championship will be played Dec. 11-12. The 5A football championship date has yet to be finalized, but the game will happen at some point in January.
For schools at the 4A level and below, the first day of football and volleyball practice is still Aug. 3. The initial volleyball matches can occur on Aug. 10, while the first football games can be played on Aug. 27.
Team tennis and cross country programs can begin competition on Sept. 7 at the 5A and 6A levels, Aug. 17 in Class-4A and below.
The UIL has also updated a lengthy policy of requirements and protocols for member schools in the areas of COVID-19 screening, response to confirmed cases, and identifying possible cases on campus.
Additionally, the new guidelines map out face covering, sanitation, and social distancing policies for performance areas, band halls, locker rooms and other congregate settings, as well as practice and rehearsal activities, and rules for teams, participants, student groups, spectators, fans, officials, event staff, concession staff, and media members at games, contests, and events.
Essentially all people present at games, events, practices, and rehearsals other stan students actively competing or exercising will be required to wear face coverings.
Schools may allow spectators to attend games, contests, or events within a maximum 50% capacity limitation, provided that appropriate spacing between spectators is maintained according to the protocol, and according to the following:
-Schools and/or host sites should post visible signs and/or messaging stating any individuals who are confirmed to have, suspected of having, are experiencing symptoms of, or have been in close contact with an individual who has been confirmed to have COVID-19 should not enter the facility.
-Spectators, audiences, fans and media are required to wear face coverings as described in Executive Order GA-29.
-Sites are encouraged to utilize remote ticketing options to help manage capacity limitations within a maximum 50% occupancy. Paper tickets and programming should be minimized to help avoid transferable materials.
-If possible, set reserved times for entry to avoid mass arrivals.
-Groups should maintain at least six feet of distance from other groups at all times, including the process of admission and seating. A group is defined as no more than 10 people including the members of the household and those persons who traveled together to the facility.
-Schools should not allow seating in consecutive rows, and should block off seating to maintain a minimum six feet of distance between groups.
-Pathways for spectator ingress and egress should be clearly marked and unobstructed.
-Schools should provide hand sanitizing stations and/or hand washing stations at entrances and inside the facility.
-Seating, hand rails, and other common surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected prior to each game or contest.
-Press Box seating should include social distancing of at least six feet between individuals when possible.
-Schools should limit access to working media providing coverage of the event to ensure protocols are followed.
-Post-game interviews should be conducted while wearing face coverings and maintaining at least six feet of distance between the interviewer and individual being interviewed.
The complete guidelines and updated calendar can be viewed online at the following link: https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19/2020-2021-uil-covid-19-risk-mitigation-guidelines