NCHSAA: Spectators will be required to wear masks at sporting events

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced last week some new information regarding health and safety protocols for when NCHSAA sanctioned events finally resume.

Once things ramp back up in North Carolina, spectators will be limited to 30% of venue capacity, or 100 people, whichever is less. Seven people per 1,000 Square feet will be the measurement that is used if an arenas capacity is unknown.

Events at indoor venues will be limited to 25 spectators. That does not include players, coaches or event staff.

Governor Roy Coopers executive orders and mandates are the reason that the NCHSAA has had to make these rules and regulations.

If anyone on a team or any personnel surrounding that team tests positive for COVID, anyone who was around that person and in close personal contact with then for more than fifteen minutes will be required to quarantine for 14 days after the last exposure to the positive individual.

For athletes and coaches/personnel to return to team activities, they must pass this checklist:

• at least 10 days have passed since a positive test
• no fever or use of fever-reducing medication;
• improvement of symptoms, excluding persistent loss of taste or smell;
• Return to Play form from a licensed health care provider

The NCHSAA will require masks to be worn at all times at contests by everyone except for the athletes that are participating in the contest that is taking place. Those expected to wear face coverings include: officials, spectators, coaches, staff, and others.

If you have attended any Georgia High School sporting events lately while the NCHSAA has been postponed, you will realize that the NCHSAA implemented a lot of rules that the GHSA is not enforcing.