GAINESVILLE — The Hall County School District will limit its high school football game attendance and require masks and mandatory temperature checks at the gate this season.
Director of Athletics Stan Lewis says the district will cap attendance at 35 percent of the individual schools' stadium capacity and will allow limited home-game ticket allotments through players, band members and cheerleaders.
The district also is requiring a mask or face covering to be worn inside the stadium, and fans will undergo a mandatory temperature check prior to entering the stadium.
"Obviously, there will be some new challenges on Friday night that require some extra effort, but these are things we are willing to do to keep people safe under the circumstances," Lewis said. "I would encourage everyone to self-screen before coming to the stadium, and stay home if you do not feel well or have symptoms. And please remember: we will be checking temperatures at the gate and masks are required."
Each Hall County school also will provide the visiting team an allocation of tickets to be distributed for sale at an agreed-on date. If the visiting school does not sell the designated allowance, those tickets will be forfeited back to the host school.
"Acting on guidance and direction from district leadership, our athletic directors spent weeks working on the plan," Lewis said. "Our focus was on safety first; everybody had a voice, and we worked really hard at developing consensus. I am grateful for everyone’s time and effort. It was not easy. My assistant AD, Eric Radich, was a tremendous help in helping us examine the numbers."
As the situation changes in the county and northeast Georgia, Lewis said the school district is prepared to adapt as needed throughout the season.
"We also will review our procedures weekly and make changes as necessary. We are going to do our best to get this right," he said.
Hall County schools will kick off the season on Sept. 4.
Below is a complete list of game day protocols:
1. Stadiums in Hall County will operate at 35 percent spectator capacity. This does not include football personnel and football players; marching band personnel and band members; cheerleading personnel and cheerleaders; media, or support personnel (chain gang, concession stand workers, etc.).
2. The visiting school may bring a marching band, but only if the host school can accommodate.
3. Ticket allotment for HCSD student participants at the host school will be as follows:
- Football players: 3 tickets
- Marching Band Members: 3 tickets
- Cheerleaders: 3 tickets
4. The HCSD host school will provide an allotment of tickets to the visiting team. The visiting school will distribute or presell its tickets by a date and time to be determined by both schools. Any tickets not sold by the predetermined date and time will revert to the host school for sale.
5. All spectators are expected to self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to traveling to the game https://www.hallco.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HCSD-COVID-Questionaire.pdf . Spectators with fevers or any symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to remain at home.
6. Spectators are required to bring a mask or face covering and to wear it at all times while in the stadium.
7. All spectators and personnel will undergo temperature checks at the gate prior to entering the stadium. Individuals with temperatures of 100.4 or higher are not permitted to enter the stadium.
8. Social distancing is to be observed by all spectators to the greatest extent possible. Families may sit closely together. Large social gatherings in pavilion areas, patios; pick-up/tag football, etc., is not permitted.
9. Players on the sideline will socially distance to the greatest extent possible. Coaches will wear face coverings when not able to socially distance from players.
10. Spectators are restricted from direct competition areas and from visiting with student athletes and personnel before, during and after events.
11. Media is allowed access to coaches after the game.
12. Sales from concession stands are permitted but must be aligned to state guidelines for "Restaurants, Bars, and Banquet & Catering Facilities/Services.” Concession workers will wear masks and gloves. All concession workers will be screened before prior to working. Individuals in line for concessions will adhere to social distancing.
