Alaska mandates student athletes wear masks except while ‘face is underwater’

But as soon as they get out of the pool….

State: No need to wear mask while ‘face is underwater’

The State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services advises school athletic programs that swimmers don’t need to wear masks while swimming, but they should don them once they get to the pool deck.

That is among the recommendations being made for school athletic programs across the state.

Now, the Alaska School Activities Association says it’s a mandate: Wrestlers must wear masks. Runners — indoors and outdoors — must wear masks. Volleyball players must wear them, and swimmers must wear them if their faces are not underwater.

The mandate includes playing basketball, wrestling, cheerleading, hockey and indoor soccer.