CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Area School District on Thursday released its attendance capacities for the fall sports season based upon the governor’s guidance.
Gov. Tom Wolf lifted his ban on spectators at high school sporting events on Sept. 2, but tight restrictions on gatherings still remain, according to a previously-published report from d9and10sports.com.
All indoor events remain limited to 25 people and outdoor events to no more than 250, with all players, coaches, officials and game personnel counting toward those numbers.
Guidance says: “All sports-related activities must adhere to the gathering limitations set forth by the Governor’s Plan … and the facility as a whole may not exceed 50 percent of total occupancy otherwise permitted by law.
“All individuals present at the facility at which such activities are held count toward gathering limitations and must comply with face covering order and social distancing guidelines.”
The decisions on how those people are allocated will be made by individual school districts based upon their recent COVID-19 trends, according to the previously-published report.
“While we’re very fortunate … to have the events for our students, the limitations currently in place will cause restrictions of … how many people may be present to watch as spectators,” said Clearfield Superintendent Terry Struble.
“We’re additionally charged with making sure the event is safe for everyone. Those who’ll be able to attend will need to comply with all expected safety guidelines so we’re not forced to forfeit … and impact our students in a negative fashion.”
Struble said only event ticket holders will be able to present themselves at sporting events on school grounds. “While it’s not what anyone likes, … our students at least have the opportunity to play. Please help keep that opportunity.”
Currently, the district:
- will not be able to have any spectators at home volleyball games, but an effort will be made to stream these events.
- will provide each boys and girls soccer player with four passes for use at their level of play and for their sport only. For example, a junior high girls soccer player will receive four passes good only for JH girls soccer events.
- will provide four passes to each member of the golf, cross-country and tennis teams.
- will provide two passes to each junior high football player and cheerleader. Struble said the district is asking families to wait until the time of their child’s game to arrive and to leave immediately after. He said usually, junior high football events consist of two games, and families should attend only their child’s event.
- will provide two passes to junior varsity football players and cheerleaders.
- will provide two passes to senior varsity football players and cheerleaders only. Struble said the Bison Marching Band will play at home games, and separate band shows will take place throughout fall that will allow each band member two passes. He said efforts will be made to stream the games for families and other supporters.
Struble said each pass provided to a student-athlete is for that sports season, and lost passes will not be replaced. “The spectator … understands the risk associated with COVID-19 and assumes all … liability if they were to contract the virus.
“The spectator confirms that they are in good health [day-of event] and that they have no signs or symptoms that would indicate they’re sick.” Spectators must wear a facial covering whenever they are around others or required by the school.
Struble said spectators must follow all existing school guidelines, plus any additional social distancing and public health guidelines put into place. Any violation will result in a forfeiture of the spectator’s pass for the season.