As high school teams across Arkansas have been preparing for the upcoming sports seasons in fall sports, fans have been waiting to see if and / or how many fans would be allowed to attend games amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson announced on Twitter that “football is important for towns across Arkansas, but we must all do our part & wear a mask to the game.” Governor Hutchinson went on to give a link where updated guidance can be found for outdoor and indoor venues for school sponsored events.
In Governor Hutchinson’s tweet, he included a link to the Arkansas Department of Health that included guidance for schools who plan to sponsor both indoor and outdoor sporting events. Click here to view this document. The document includes limits on the capacity of the venue to modifications for concession stands and other means of food service during the events.
Inclusive in the guidance to schools for indoor and outdoor events are:
- Six feet social distancing between groups.
- Fans seated in every other row.
- Maximum fan capacity of 66% of total stadium or gymnasium capacity. It is also noted that row and social distancing requirements may reduce actual capacity in some venues from 25-50% capacity.
- Face coverings are required for all in attendance ages 10 years and older.
- Self-serve condiments at concessions stands are prohibited.
- Reduced menus are suggested to reduce the length of lines to concession stands.
As high schools move into next week, football games, or scrimmage games will be held to benefit the Arkansas Activities Association’s (AAA) catastrophic injury fund. Volleyball programs, as well, will be playing AAA benefit games next week. The week will be another important step in the lead-up of stages from workouts in shorts and t-shirts in June and July, to padded practices in August, and now, games versus other schools. It will be important for players, coaches, support personnel, and fans to follow the state guidance to safeguard everyone’s health and to allow the teams a chance to continue playing into the regular season that will begin, in some cases, the following week.
Resident Press will bring you full coverage of the Paris Eagles and Magazine Rattlers football scrimmage Tuesday. Stay with RP for a complete recap of the scrimmage on Wednesday.
