VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE

1642 State Farm Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22911

VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE Fax:
Phone: 434-977-8475 434-977-5943
www.vhsl.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 14, 2020

VHSL will not require masks to be worn in games and practices

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – On December 10, the VHSL announced that it “is requiring each school
to follow the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)” that students and coaches wear masks while participating in
sports. This requirement was issued in response to information that the Governor’s
Requirement to Wear Face Coverings would include such a provision.  However, EO 72 when
issued stated that Face Coverings requirements “do not apply to … individuals exercising or
using exercise equipment.”

“VHSL apologizes for any confusion created by its original release,” said VHSL Executive
Director, Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun. “We ask the public to understand that it is the first mission
of VHSL to make sure that athletics are conducted in a safe and healthy environment, and it
was that desire that motivated the original decision.”

Accordingly, VHSL is rescinding its “requirement” that face coverings be worn during training
and competition and is reissuing its guidance to conform with the intent of EO 72 that face
masks are “strongly encouraged” but not required.  Each school may continue to exercise its
discretion and judgment as to safety steps within its athletics programs as it pertains to face
coverings. 

-VHSL-

Mike McCall
Director of Communications
Virginia High School League
1642 State Farm Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22911
434-977-8475   Fax 434-977-5943
Email: mmccall@vhsl.org