DOVER — For the time being, masks will be back for high school volleyball players.

The rest of fall sports are up in the air when it comes to face coverings, though.

The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association discussed the issue at its monthly board of directors meeting Thursday but wanted more time to study the latest guidelines from various state agencies.

Some of those new rules came out while the DIAA board was in session Thursday, as Gov. John Carney announced that, beginning Sept. 30, staff in long-term care, other health care facilities and state employees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or to undergo regular testing.

A special DIAA board meeting is now slated for Aug. 19.

“Long story short, we’re going to have to get some clarification on what is meant by these two emergency regulations that were just published today,” said Sussex Central High School Principal Dr. Bradley Layfield, DIAA board chairman. “Then, we’ll have to consider whether or not we need to implement other emergency regulations, similar but not to the great extent of where we were last year.”

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, Gov. Carney has recently mandated that students must wear masks inside schools as the academic year begins. School boards began discussions this week regarding a return to school under the new mandate.

Schools have also scheduled their own vaccination clinics with four throughout the state, all scheduled for Aug. 19 from 4-8 p.m. The locations are Lake Forest Central Elementary School, Seaford Middle School, William Penn High School and Howard High School of Technology.

All sites will offer the Pfizer vaccine — the only shot approved for individuals 12 and older. Children under 18 must provide parental or guardian consent.

Gov. Carney’s recent mask requirement will go into effect Monday. It covers both public and private schools in Delaware and mandates everyone kindergarten-age and older in K-12 schools must wear face coverings while indoors.

Volleyball is the only high school sport in Delaware that is played indoors during the fall.
As things stand right now, volleyball players, coaches and fans will all have to wear face coverings during games and practices.

With some schools having already started football practices, masks are not being required for outdoor activity.

Practice for the rest of the state’s football programs, as well as boys’ soccer, cross country, field hockey and volleyball, begin Monday.

A year ago, fall sports looked like they would be played in late winter and early spring. Even though they did end up being played in the autumn, high school student-athletes had to wear masks during competition, even outdoors.

With the delta variant of COVID-19 becoming a factor, new regulations and guidelines are being considered in many places.

“As of right now, everything is good to go, with the exception that volleyball — since it’s inside — will be wearing face coverings,” said Dr. Layfield. “We’re going to give the board some time to digest what came out today and get the attorneys from the different agencies on the same page as far as what guidance they can give.”