Anne Arundel County Public Schools will allow student-athletes, team managers, and coaches to invite up to two spectators to each contest in which their team participates during the upcoming fall athletics season, Superintendent George Arlotto announced today.
The plan will allow for invited fans from both home and visiting teams to attend contests, which begin on March 23, provided they comply with all COVID-19 related protocols, policies, and guidelines. Those include, but are not limited to:
- wearing a mask at all times.
- maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet (family members may be closer).
- utilization of hand sanitizer available at all entrance and exit points.
- not attending any event while symptomatic of an illness.
Schools will announce gate opening times for all stadium and gymnasium events. Admission will be free. Spectators cannot congregate outside venues and must remain in their cars until the gates or doors open.
“Our athletics, administrative, and school security teams have worked long and hard to develop plans that allow fans to support and celebrate our incredible student-athletes in safe ways,” Dr. Arlotto said. “In order to make these plans work throughout the fall season and into the spring, however, we are going to need everyone to do their part. This plan will only be as good as our collective adherence to it.”
Spectators for events held in school stadiums and gymnasiums will receive tickets to those events from the participant who invites them to the contest. Those attending other contests will receive lanyards from the participant who invites them to those contests. Tickets and lanyards are the responsibility of the participants to disperse for each contest.
All spectators must have tickets or lanyards when they arrive at the venue. There will be no ticket pickup and no extra tickets or lanyards available. No one without a ticket or lanyard will be permitted to remain at a venue.
Spectators cannot congregate in groups in parking lots or at contest venues, and must not interact with student-athletes before, during, or after events.
Upon entering a facility for an athletic contest, all spectators must go directly to their seats and remain seated throughout the contest to the extent possible. Spectators are discouraged from yelling, chanting, or singing, and should consider ways to safely cheer such as stomping or clapping.
Concession stands will not be in operation, though restrooms will be open. No outside food or beverages other than bottled water can be brought to venues, and spectators must take empty water bottles with them as they leave venues.
Contests will be open only to participants, officials, invited spectators, and the media. Other student-athletes and fans may not congregate around venues and will be asked to leave if they do so. In extreme cases, violations of the health and safety guidelines could force a contest to be halted.
AACPS employee or other identification badges or passes cannot be used to gain admission to events.
The number of spectators at some venues may have to be further limited due to capacity restrictions. Athletics schedules are subject to change due to weather or other conditions.