The rise in COVID-19 cases is leading to restrictions on spectators at high school sporting events. Knox School Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart says attendance at Saturday’s girls basketball game will be limited to family members only, “And that is parents, step-parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. There will be no one else allowed for the girls game with John Glenn because of COVID-related issues.” Reichhart says that policy will be reevaluated for each game.
Meanwhile, North Judson-San Pierre says it’s limiting attendance at all remaining home football games to families of players, coaches, and cheerleaders, and up to 80 students. High school basketball games will be restricted to families of players and coaches, season pass holders, and up to 175 other spectators who purchase tickets ahead of time at njspathletics.com. In a letter to the community, N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin says local health officials have asked schools to limit attendance at events, and restrictions may be tightened or eased, if the COVID-19 situation changes.
During state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box recommended even tighter restrictions on basketball games in areas of high community spread, such as limiting attendance to two parents only or not allowing spectators at all. “That is not something that I want to have happen, but we have to take this seriously,” Box said, “And we know we lost lives in sectionals last year from this disease, and I don’t want to see that happen. I don’t want to see a spread where people are yelling and screaming.”
Box believes that if people consistently wear masks and practice social distancing at indoor events, they will be able to go on.
