While COVID numbers are going down in our area of the world, there are still important precautions to be taken. Thus, several districts, including Virginia Beach, decided that all student athletes in the Hampton Roads area who intend to participate in winter sports or conditioning are now required to either present proof of vaccination, participate in weekly COVID testing, or submit proof  of a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days.

According to an article on Wavy.com, it was also decided by the Virginia Beach that unvaccinated students must undergo weekly testing; when and where this happens is determined by the student-athlete’s home school. Athletes were required to be vaccinated by Nov. 8, for for all high school students who intend to participate in Virginia High School League (VHSL) winter activities or athletic conditioning that require a physical for participation.

Furthermore, athletes who are absent on the assigned weekly test date for their school will be required to undergo testing on Wednesdays at a make-up site location, if they wish to remain eligible to participate in practices for the remainder of the week. It was also decided that those who choose to be tested weekly can do so with no cost to students or the division.

Despite the growing controversy, some students were still surprised by the new policy and rushed to get forms in on time.

Some students even stated that the decision could have been advertised more in advance to give students time to decide how they would ‘deal with the situation’.

This new policy’s goal  is to keep students, staff, families, and of course, players, safe and well.

According to most winter sports coaches, the new protocols have not yet affected their season.