PIAA to implement COVID-19 vaccination requirement for officials working state playoffs

Sep. 15—The PIAA will require game officials to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to work any state playoff games this season.

"All officials must be fully vaccinated to officiate any post season inter-district contest," a bulletin for PIAA football officials posted online Tuesday read. "The terms and conditions of PIAA inter-district playoff contracts will include language that all officials working those contests must be fully vaccinated."

Since the notice states that the requirement is for those officiating any "inter-district contest," the mandate likely will not apply to the WPIAL championships or other district playoffs throughout the state.

WPIAL assistant executive director Vince Sortino told the Times on Tuesday afternoon that the PIAA had not directly reached out to the WPIAL. Sortino added that more information should be available after the PIAA board members meet Wednesday.

This announcement comes a week after Ellwood City canceled it's contest versus Shenango because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the Wolverines' program and after Our Lady of Sacred Heart called off its game against Beaver Falls because of several players lost to COVID-19 and injuries. Two weeks ago, Beaver Area and Hopewell canceled their Week 1 matchups for reasons that included dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.

Just two weeks ago, Governor Tom Wolf issued an order requiring masks to be worn inside all Pennsylvania schools.

The PIAA did not immediately respond to the Times' request for comment.

This is a breaking news story. The Beaver County Times will provide updates as they become available.

Contact Parth Upadhyaya at pupadhyaya@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @pupadhyaya_.

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