The Raccoon River Conference has released a series of guidelines for member schools to follow as the battle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Fans will be asked to observe the now-standard six-foot social distance and to sit only in family groups. Spectators are asked to wear masks whenever possible and to attend activities only if they have not been exposed to a positive case of the COVID-19 virus.
The RRC is not enforcing a mask mandate but has left it up to each individual district to put a different protocol in place if they wish. All host schools are to provide disposable masks to spectators upon entering a sporting venue.
Unlike the summer sports season, concession stands will be allowed during the fall sports campaigns. Most will offer only a few items, and fans are asked to maintain a distance of six feet from other spectators both at concession stands and at entrance gates. They are also asked to provide exact cash amounts for both admission and any concessions, to lessen the number of personal interactions.
Seating will be similar to the recent baseball and softball seasons, in which some bleacher seats were marked as open and others closed, thereby building in social distancing. Volleyball will be a notable exception, as the first two rows of bleachers closest to the court will be left open.
In order to create more room in the bleachers, Perry has chosen to move the marching band to the track during the game. If the high school volleyball teams are playing in Perry and the middle school gym is unoccupied, that court will be used for freshman matches while the junior varsity and varsity play in the main gym.
The RRC said the guidelines released earlier this week were minimum standards and that hosting schools were free to add additional restrictions. Announcements will be frequently made during each event regarding the restrictions in place at each venue.
