For the Gazette

CENTRAL WISCONSIN – Wisconsin Valley Conference spectator guidance has been updated for the winter sports season.

In November, the seven schools of the Wisconsin Valley Conference made the decision to participate in winter sports with strict safety protocols in place across the conference.

The decision made at this time was to limit attendance at events to only two home spectators or no spectators depending on the venue/place of play. In addition, masks or face coverings are required among all spectators, workers, coaches, officials, and athletes, except swimmers in the pool.

Additionally, at those events with spectators, venues may have been cleared between participation levels.

Schools also agreed to screen athletes prior to the start of each contest and follow the WIAA Return to Winter Sports Guidelines.

The conference stated that these guidelines would remain in effect through Dec.12, with a reevaluation on Dec. 9.

The Wisconsin Valley Conference spans five counties, six school districts, and seven high schools. Organizers have found developing a conference-wide regulation in regard to spectator attendance difficult, as situations vary among the schools.

Beginning Dec.14, high schools of the Wisconsin Valley Conference may choose to allow two immediate family members per athlete to attend home and away events.

If spectators are not allowed to attend away events at certain schools, those schools’ fans will not be allowed to travel to other schools in the conference.

These decisions are up to an individual school and/or district’s discretion and may be venue specific.

Masks or face coverings are still required and venues may have assigned seating for spectators.

Spectator guidance will be reviewed every three to four weeks.

The guidance stated above will continue through Jan.10.

Ticketing codes will continue to be supplied by the athlete’s home high school, if applicable.

All spectator guidelines will be enforced for non-conference games played at WVC sites.

School districts will continue to live stream events. Please visit the high school website for information.