Gov. Whitmer: Football players, other athletes must mask up, even while competing

Michigan high school athletes in football, soccer and volleyball should keep those face coverings handy. They will need to continue wearing them, even during the heat of competition.

That’s the latest word from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who on Wednesday signed Executive Order 180, which clarifies mandates on face coverings for organized sports during training, practice and competition.

The new order states that a face covering must be worn at all times by athletes, unless they can maintain 6 feet of social distance.

So those in football, soccer and volleyball -- sports that just returned this week -- will need to wear face coverings at all times. Cross country, golf and tennis can go without masks, if they can stay apart. Swimmers are the only exception to any coverings.

“The COVID-19 virus is easily spread through airborne particles and can affect everyone differently,” Gov. Whitmer said in a release. "By wearing a face covering when proper distancing is not possible, athletes will be better protected from contracting the virus and spreading it to family members, frontline workers, and vulnerable populations.

“We cannot afford to let our guard down. As we continue to fight this virus, we need to make smart and informed choices so we can beat COVID-19 together.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talks to reporters

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks with reporters in Detroit on Monday, Aug. 24.

On Tuesday, the Michigan High School Athletic Association announced that game officials for outdoor and indoor sports would not be required to wear face coverings when in active participation and carrying out their duties. The MHSAA had been seeking guidance on what the mask requirements were for athletes, citing contradictions in previous executive orders.

MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl had noted that Executive Order 153 said athletes were not required to wear a face covering if it would “interfere” with the activity. And then in last week’s Executive Order 176, it mandated athletes wear them at all times. Gov. Whitmer has now clarified those safety precautions.

In addition to the new executive order, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released guidance on organized athletics, recommending against contact sports at this time. The MDHHS cites elevated risk associated with activities that involve “shouting, singing or breathing forcefully,” the release states, and notes there have been 30 reported outbreaks associated with athletic clubs or teams or athletic facilities.

Last Thursday, Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 176, which re-opened indoor athletic facilities in regions of the state where they had been closed. The order also opened the door for high school football, soccer, swimming and volleyball to resume. It allowed organized sports practices and competitions to pick back up in those areas where they were restricted, subject to strict protections to limit spread of coronavirus.

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