As the fall sports season gets underway in earnest, Brownstown Central released fan protocols to attend games and matches, emphasizing the need to wear face masks when entering a gym or stadium.
The line of defense is required to combat gatherings in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. If a spectator arrives onsite without a mask, one can be purchased for $1.
Under the guidelines released by Athletic Director Mark DeHart, various points stress minimal contact to diminish the chances of contagion, including keeping a mask on if a spectator leaves his or her seat. To distinguish students from other spectators, they will be asked to wear yellow masks and sit in designated spots.
Admission fees will be $5, but patrons are asked to bring exact change to buy tickets.
There are plans to make public announcements during contests reminding fans to wear their masks and adhere to social distancing in their seating.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association has permitted schools to determine their own rules for on-campus attendance at home sporting events. Brownstown, as have others, will allow 250 fans on the home side of the field and 250 from the visiting team for football games.
In order to keep close track of the number of people coming into a sporting event, Brownstown will not honor season tickets, all-sport passes and complimentary passes this fall and they will not be sold, only tickets earmarked for the occasion.
The gates are scheduled to open one hour prior to the start of scheduled varsity football playing times, and it is planned tickets will be accounted for and distributed ahead of time.
For volleyball, the same policy of 250 home-side fans and 250 visitor-side fans will be permitted in the gym. Gates will open 45 minutes ahead of play. Tickets will be sold at the main school entrance and main gym entrance.
Although concessions will be sold at the games, the only items stocked will be prepackaged. Workers must wear hats or hair nets, gloves and masks.
Social distancing is encouraged for fans when entering the arenas and while waiting in lines for concessions or the restrooms.