Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Relaxes Restrictions On Fans In Stands At School Sports
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The administration of Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday moved to relax restrictions on spectators at some fall sporting events, though attendance might be impossible at high school volleyball and water polo, and difficult for football, because of statewide limits on mass gatherings.
The revised guidance says that "spectators may attend sporting events," but they count toward the statewide gathering limits of 25 people indoors and 250 people outdoors.
Spectators must wear masks, unless they're outside and can consistently maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet (2 meters), the Wolf administration said.
Wolf has urged schools to cancel all youth sports until January to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. But the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body for Pennsylvania interscholastic sports, voted last month to move forward with the fall season, rejecting the governor's recommendation.
PIAA spokesperson Melissa Mertz said the organization is in "full support of spectators attending contests" but remains concern about the 25-person limit for indoor events, saying it negativity impacts girls volleyball and water polo.
Attendance at high school football games would be limited, too, though the PIAA said it's likely that parents could go.
"Schools might have to be creative if they have large teams, bands and cheerleaders," Mertz said.
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