WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — You won't see many people at a football game or any outdoor sporting event again in the foreseeable future.
The School District of Palm Beach County has reduced fan attendance to 50%, allowing only 2,000 spectators in a stadium and only 700 people will be allowed in a gym.
A 50% capacity will apply to the swim deck at Boca Raton Community High School.
"I respect that some people feel it keeps them safer to have space and so I understand why they need to limit the capacity," one woman, who identified herself only as Bethany, said.
Masks will be required for all spectators for both outdoor and indoor events. Social distancing will be integral and strongly recommended. After each event, bleachers and equipment will be sanitized.
Concessions, if offered, will have bottled beverage options and pre-packaged snacks to buy.
"It's a really good idea with the delta variant right now. It's highly contagious," Colby Johnson said.
In the meantime, practices will be closed to the public on all 24 high school campuses. This decision does not include college coaches and recruiters.
The school district released a list of the updated protocols:
- Spectator capacity has been reduced to 50%, allowing a maximum of 2,000 spectators in a stadium and 700 in a gym. The swim deck at Boca Raton Community High School will also have a 50% spectator capacity as well.
- Digital ticketing is available. Download the GoFan app or visit GoFan.co to purchase tickets online before the event.
- Concessions (when available) will have bottled beverage options and pre-packaged snacks available for purchase.
- Masks will be required for all spectators both outdoors and indoors in compliance with school board policy.
- Social distancing will be incorporated into venue seating plans for spectators as best as possible to comply with the 50% capacity level requirement. Distancing is strongly recommended at all events, both indoors and outdoors.
- Practices will be closed to the public on all 24 traditional public high school campuses, with the exception of college coaches and recruiters.
- Sanitization of bleachers and equipment will occur after each event.
The school district will host a live Facebook session Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to discuss athletic protocols and answer questions.
To watch and participate, visit the school district's Facebook page.