T-R FILE PHOTO Marshalltown guard Armonniey Thomas, center, tries to split Fort Dodge defenders D’Arien Calahan, left, and Asle Thorson (2) during the first half of the CIML Iowa Conference boys’ basketball game at the Roundhouse.

The Central Iowa Metropolitan League announced new guidelines for the 2020-21 winter season Tuesday morning in what will be the biggest challenge of the conference’s COVID-19 regulations yet.

The winter season is full of indoor sports, and enclosed spaces have proven to be easier to transmit the virus. So, the CIML’s basketball regulations make clear the requirement of a facial covering at admission and throughout the event.

In fact, every winter sport played by CIML schools has the same requirement: “spectators are required to wear a face covering for admission and throughout the duration of the event.”

The requirement in basketball comes along with travel squad limits of 20 for teams — this includes players, coaches, a stat person and a filmer.

A similar ticket structure to football is in place for visiting fans and home fans in wrestling and basketball.

“Schools will distribute two (2) tickets per participant in uniform and two per coach at each level to be used at that level throughout the season,” The statement reads. “This ticket will allow the ticket holder to pay admission or use a school specific pass to gain entrance for the contest. The ticket only allows an individual to purchase admission and has no cash value and may only be used at the venue and event listed (i.e. varsity tickets may only be used at the varsity contest).”

The home team is in charge of the maximum number of spectators gauged by gym size and available bleacher seating.

For boys’ and girls’ bowling and boys’ swimming, the CIML will not allow visiting spectators to events but home spectators will be left up to the school and, in bowling’s case, the establishment. According to the CIML, space will be provided for visiting coaches and managers.

Wrestling has specific traveling roster requirements for road teams.

Visiting wrestlers are only supposed to travel if they have a match during the meet, and junior varsity wrestlers will be encouraged to leave after their meet and before varsity events if they have a parent or guardian present. One manager is allowed per match, and three coaches are allowed to travel for JV and for varsity.

The press release makes clear that some of the rules are subject to change or adjustments during the season if needed.