Spectator Guidance for Athletic Events
February 4, 2021
Yesterday at our CCAA meeting, member schools were represented by their athletic directors to discuss and continue preparations for a return for high school athletics. The athletic directors voted 11-0 to issue guidance to each member school to NOT have visiting school spectators at any athletic contests until at least March 1st, 2021. The preference is to start small and establish the protocols that permit athletics to the current degree possible. On February 25th, our athletic directors will be meeting to revisit this topic so that we can get host and visiting school fans present at events when safe to do so.
The California Department of Public Health’s guidance for “Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports,” issued December 14, 2020 and updated on January 25, 2021 provides clarity for any host school spectators, if your district and county health departments support them.
OBSERVERS
● For youth sports (age 18 years and under), immediate household members may observe practices and games as needed for age-appropriate supervision, but observers should be limited to ensure physical distance can be maintained, reduce potential crowding, and maintain indoor and outdoor capacity limits allowed by Tiers.
● Observers must stay at least 6 feet from non-household members and wear face coverings.
I would strongly recommend seeking your district administration’s guidance. Lucia Mar Unified School District will only allow parents at home contests as needed for supervision of those contests. More restrictive policies are part of the “Additional Recommendations” included in the CA Department of Public Health’s guidance for Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
● For adult sports, spectators are not permitted at this time.
● Local health departments and school districts may have stricter rules and should be consulted to confirm what is allowed. We are not requiring stricter rules at this time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Respectfully,
John Denno
President, CCAA
Principal, Nipomo High School
