EAST LANSING – The Michigan High School Athletic Association has provided members schools with guidance on the wearing of masks for interscholastic sports.

A communication was sent out to member schools, saying that they are expected to comply with Governor Gretchen Whitmer's recently issued Executive Order 2020-180.

The communication says as of September 10, face covering may be worn but student-athletes are not required to do so while in active participation in cross country, golf and tennis. If you are not actually playing, warming up or cooling down, then masks are required to be worn.

In swimming and diving, student-athletes are not required to wear a mask while preparing to enter the water, but must wear masks at all other times when on deck or in the facility.

The MHSAA says face coverings are required in football, soccer and volleyball. This includes all times during active and non active participation when 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.

There is no provision in the Executive Order for medical intolerance reasons or medical waivers.

In addition, face coverings shall be worn by coaches, medical staff, game event staff, media members and spectators. Broadcasters and PA announcers are an exception to this requirement when they are actively broadcasting or announcing.

Also, officials may wear face coverings on the field of play if they desire. They will wear their face coverings upon arrival at a facility, before the contest, during intermissions and following the contest until they leave.

The MHSAA says they have no authority to waive, ignore or modify Executive Orders for any reason.