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Phillips County Schools announce spectator guidelines

While many sporting events around the country have decided to hold games without spectators, Phillips County teams each plan on having spectators to begin the year.

The Malta football and volleyball, as well as North Country volleyball teams each plan to hold spectators for their home events this fall.

MALTA FOOTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL:

Malta Public Schools announced their decision to host spectators on the afternoon of Friday, August 28, by press release.

“Malta Public Schools wants to give fans the opportunity to watch our student-athletes compete,” the release said. However, we need to provide a safe environment for student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators.”

The letter said that the school had been working closely with the Phillips County Health Department to develop a plan to safely hold sporting events while limiting potential exposure to COVID-19 during these events.

The rules for fans attending football remain similar to past years with a few big differences. The letter states that “All spectators will need to be wearing a face shield or mask.”

Another huge change is that elementary students will need to sit with their parents and that there will be no elementary football in either end zone throughout the game.

Football fans are not allowed to walk the sidelines but fans will be allowed to stand along the blue fence line. Fans are also to use social distance measures at all times.

Families at football and volleyball games are to sit in pods together and maintain social distance from other spectators.

There will not be any concessions sold at any Malta Football or Volleyball home game.

“This plan is the spectator plans for Malta Public Schools home activities,” the release stated. “Each school district will have their own plan. The school we keep the public informed with other school districts’ plans.

“Malta Schools asks for the at-risk population to please not attend,” the release continued. “These plans are subject to change week to week. We will keep you informed with any changes.”

NORTH COUNTRY VOLLEYBALL:

Saco and Whitewater Schools both plan on having spectators for North Country’s home games that they will be hosting. Saco Athletic Director Barry Malone confirmed several details for Saco schools and Whitewater Athletic Director Rana Jesson confirmed details for Whitewater Schools.

Malone said that the school will only allow crowds to reach 75 percent capacity, which he believes shouldn’t be a problem during the volleyball season.

Jesson said that Whitewater only hosts two high school volleyball games this season and in previous years, the Whitewater gym had low attendance numbers. Later Jesson confirmed that Whitewater would be at 75 percent capacity or less. Both schools have no plans to limit crowd size to 50 or less unless mandated by the state.

Malone said that Saco events will require spectators to wear masks at their events. Jesson said that Whitewater would encourage social distancing and that their mask requirement depends on what the county’s mask mandate is at the time.

As far as Senior Night goes, both schools plan on keeping things the same unless more cases arise in the county.

Neither school is hosting an outdoor event.

 

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