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Summary of Phase 3 Guidelines
3/12/2021

With the announcement from Governor Inslee on Thursday allowing for increased participation and increased spectator capacity in Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington Plan, the WIAA has compiled updated information in the Healthy Washington Guidelines Document.

A summary of major changes to K-12 activities guidelines are as follows:

Spectator Guidelines
Spectator restrictions for outdoor events will vary based on whether permanent seating is available and the amount of designated seats. Physical distancing requirements of six feet of separation between groups must be maintained in all seating arrangements which may limit the capacity number further than the guidelines listed.

For facilities with permanent seating up to 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 50% capacity or a maximum of 400 people, whichever is fewer. For facilities with permanent seating for more than 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 25% capacity. For outdoor activities, the Phase 3 guidelines indicate that participants, officials, coaches, and staff do not count toward the capacity restrictions as they did in Phases 1 and 2.

Indoor activities in Phase 3 may have up to 400 individuals at an event or at 50% capacity, whichever is fewer. For indoor activities, participants, coaches, officials, and staff do still count toward the capacity restrictions.

For activities where permanent seating is not available, spectators are limited to one seated group (1-6 people) per 100 square ft. Each group will be in a reserved space, only available to the group or pod who purchased a specific location.

The spectator guideline changes will go into effect on Thursday, March 18. This is before counties officially enter Phase 3 but will allow for more attendance in the final week(s) of Season 1 activities.

High Risk Indoor Sports
In phase 3 all activities will be allowed to take part in competitions; however, tournaments are still prohibited. Masks are still required for all participants, coaches, staff and spectators during practices and competitions.

All counties will be moved to Phase 3 on Monday, March 22 allowing schools to offer all sports at that time.

Change in Phasing Metrics
Under the updated plan, counties will be individually evaluated every three weeks. The evaluations will occur on Mondays with any possible changes taking effect Friday, with the first evaluation scheduled for April 12.

In addition to being individually evaluated, large and small counties will have different sets of criteria. If any county fails one or more of the metrics below, that county will move down one Phase in the Heathy Washington plan.

If at any point the statewide ICU capacity reaches greater than 90%, all counties will move down one Phase. The Department of Health always maintains the ability to move a county forward or backward at their discretion.

Summary of Phase 3 Guidelines
3/12/2021

With the announcement from Governor Inslee on Thursday allowing for increased participation and increased spectator capacity in Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington Plan, the WIAA has compiled updated information in the Healthy Washington Guidelines Document.

A summary of major changes to K-12 activities guidelines are as follows:

Spectator Guidelines
Spectator restrictions for outdoor events will vary based on whether permanent seating is available and the amount of designated seats. Physical distancing requirements of six feet of separation between groups must be maintained in all seating arrangements which may limit the capacity number further than the guidelines listed.

For facilities with permanent seating up to 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 50% capacity or a maximum of 400 people, whichever is fewer. For facilities with permanent seating for more than 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 25% capacity. For outdoor activities, the Phase 3 guidelines indicate that participants, officials, coaches, and staff do not count toward the capacity restrictions as they did in Phases 1 and 2.

Indoor activities in Phase 3 may have up to 400 individuals at an event or at 50% capacity, whichever is fewer. For indoor activities, participants, coaches, officials, and staff do still count toward the capacity restrictions.

For activities where permanent seating is not available, spectators are limited to one seated group (1-6 people) per 100 square ft. Each group will be in a reserved space, only available to the group or pod who purchased a specific location.

The spectator guideline changes will go into effect on Thursday, March 18. This is before counties officially enter Phase 3 but will allow for more attendance in the final week(s) of Season 1 activities.

High Risk Indoor Sports
In phase 3 all activities will be allowed to take part in competitions; however, tournaments are still prohibited. Masks are still required for all participants, coaches, staff and spectators during practices and competitions.

All counties will be moved to Phase 3 on Monday, March 22 allowing schools to offer all sports at that time.

Change in Phasing Metrics
Under the updated plan, counties will be individually evaluated every three weeks. The evaluations will occur on Mondays with any possible changes taking effect Friday, with the first evaluation scheduled for April 12.

In addition to being individually evaluated, large and small counties will have different sets of criteria. If any county fails one or more of the metrics below, that county will move down one Phase in the Heathy Washington plan.

If at any point the statewide ICU capacity reaches greater than 90%, all counties will move down one Phase. The Department of Health always maintains the ability to move a county forward or backward at their discretion.

Attached is the approved seasons for the Northeast 1B League

Attached is the approved seasons for the Northeast 1B League

DATE: January 19, 2021

TO: Student-Athletes, Families, and Fans of the Northeast “A” League (NEA)

FROM: Northeast A (NEA) Athletic Directors

RE: Important NEA League Update

Dear Athletes/Families/Fans of the NEA,

Last week, the WIAA made the decision to move the start date of Fall sports to February 1, 2021. While this is a step in the right direction, we are still left in a complicated scenario. Under the current restrictions in Phase 1 of Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery, our traditional fall sports would be subject to serious practice and competition restrictions. Simply put, we need to get into phase 2 for the majority of our sports to practice and compete against other schools.

In addition to the fall sport announcement, The WIAA also encouraged individual leagues to create and devise plans for its seasons that would be more beneficial and conducive to its region/area of the state. Since our region is currently only in phase 1, the league unanimously voted to delay the start of fall sports in hopes that a little more time might help us achieve the all important, Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington recovery. This plan was supported by every Superintendent, Principal and Athletic Director in the NEA League and was also approved by the WIAA.

After several meetings and receiving feedback from our superintendents and principals, the NEA has agreed upon the following start/end dates for the 2020-21 school year sport seasons:

The NEA unanimously felt that these season dates provided a fair and reasonable opportunity for allsports to have a chance to happen. Here are some additional details about the seasons:

• Each season is six (6) weeks in duration and overlaps into the following season by one (1) week.

• The NEA is exploring options for students to satisfy the pre-practice requirements

• Details will be explained further by your Athletic Director

• Starting with traditional fall sports first allows for the best chance for quality practices and competitions in regards to field conditions. It also allows football to begin one (1) week earlier in order to meet the pre-practice requirement.

• If our Region advances to Phase 2 by February 12, 2021, the NEA will consider moving the start date of Season A to an earlier start.

• Spring Break (April 5-9, 2021) could include competition for fall sports and the start of practices for spring sports. Spring Sports would begin April 5; hopefully with quality outdoor weather.

• Basketball and wrestling (considered high risk at this point) are placed in the last season (season C) to provide more time for COVID-management and a graduation to phase 3.

• School districts can provide opportunities for students in out-of-season activities up to the first day of Season A (Fall Sports).

• Please understand that the WIAA, Washington State, and/or Department of Health could make decisions that could alter this plan.

We realize there are many challenges ahead of us and more questions that need to be addressed. Figuring out the logistics of actually practicing and competing will require extensive work moving forward; details that will surely be shared when the time comes. At the very least, we wanted to communicate the season dates and some details to provide hope and optimism that athletics could resume this year.

As we progress toward the start of the NEA fall sports season, we ask for your cooperation and help. There surely may be “bumps in the road” as we go and athletics will undoubtedly look different than it has in the past, but please remember the end goal that we have in mind: we are doing this for the kids. We are excited about providing a plan with opportunities for our student-athletes. Thank you in advance for your grace, patience and flexibility as we move through this together.

Respectfully,

NEA Athletic Directors

DATE: January 19, 2021

TO: Student-Athletes, Families, and Fans of the Northeast “A” League (NEA)

FROM: Northeast A (NEA) Athletic Directors

RE: Important NEA League Update

Dear Athletes/Families/Fans of the NEA,

Last week, the WIAA made the decision to move the start date of Fall sports to February 1, 2021. While this is a step in the right direction, we are still left in a complicated scenario. Under the current restrictions in Phase 1 of Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery, our traditional fall sports would be subject to serious practice and competition restrictions. Simply put, we need to get into phase 2 for the majority of our sports to practice and compete against other schools.

In addition to the fall sport announcement, The WIAA also encouraged individual leagues to create and devise plans for its seasons that would be more beneficial and conducive to its region/area of the state. Since our region is currently only in phase 1, the league unanimously voted to delay the start of fall sports in hopes that a little more time might help us achieve the all important, Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington recovery. This plan was supported by every Superintendent, Principal and Athletic Director in the NEA League and was also approved by the WIAA.

After several meetings and receiving feedback from our superintendents and principals, the NEA has agreed upon the following start/end dates for the 2020-21 school year sport seasons:

The NEA unanimously felt that these season dates provided a fair and reasonable opportunity for allsports to have a chance to happen. Here are some additional details about the seasons:

• Each season is six (6) weeks in duration and overlaps into the following season by one (1) week.

• The NEA is exploring options for students to satisfy the pre-practice requirements

• Details will be explained further by your Athletic Director

• Starting with traditional fall sports first allows for the best chance for quality practices and competitions in regards to field conditions. It also allows football to begin one (1) week earlier in order to meet the pre-practice requirement.

• If our Region advances to Phase 2 by February 12, 2021, the NEA will consider moving the start date of Season A to an earlier start.

• Spring Break (April 5-9, 2021) could include competition for fall sports and the start of practices for spring sports. Spring Sports would begin April 5; hopefully with quality outdoor weather.

• Basketball and wrestling (considered high risk at this point) are placed in the last season (season C) to provide more time for COVID-management and a graduation to phase 3.

• School districts can provide opportunities for students in out-of-season activities up to the first day of Season A (Fall Sports).

• Please understand that the WIAA, Washington State, and/or Department of Health could make decisions that could alter this plan.

We realize there are many challenges ahead of us and more questions that need to be addressed. Figuring out the logistics of actually practicing and competing will require extensive work moving forward; details that will surely be shared when the time comes. At the very least, we wanted to communicate the season dates and some details to provide hope and optimism that athletics could resume this year.

As we progress toward the start of the NEA fall sports season, we ask for your cooperation and help. There surely may be “bumps in the road” as we go and athletics will undoubtedly look different than it has in the past, but please remember the end goal that we have in mind: we are doing this for the kids. We are excited about providing a plan with opportunities for our student-athletes. Thank you in advance for your grace, patience and flexibility as we move through this together.

Respectfully,

NEA Athletic Directors