Bend-La Pine, Crook County schools outline plans to bring fans back to stands

(Update: adding video, comments from Mtn. View, Crook County athletic directors)

Lower risk guidelines also allow spectators at volleyball, soccer, other sports

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Friday isn’t just the day Deschutes County drops from High to Moderate Risk in the state’s COVID-19 guidelines – it’s also the kickoff to the second weekend of delayed, spring high school football. Thanks to new guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, 150 fans will be cheering in the stands at schools in the area, an official said Wednesday.

The path was not so simple. Maximum capacity in Moderate Risk counties was set at 150 per venue.

So Bend-La Pine Schools and the Redmond School District were seeking more guidance from the Oregon School Activities Association and the Oregon Health Authority, to see if parents and friends could be back in the stands to watch and cheer.

All of the athletic directors from Bend-La Pine Schools met Wednesday morning to discuss some preliminary ideas.

After the meeting, they received the news: OHA is allowing 150 fans in the stands, and is limiting the sports field capacity for coaches, players, administrators and officials to 120.

Bend High School Athletic Director Lowell Norby said student-athletes will be given a limited number of tickets for friends and family. The fans will have to wear masks, and there will be contact tracing and COVID checks at the gate.

Mountain View Athletic Director Lance Haas mentioned a similar plan, saying tickets will only be distributed to immediate family members.

"It's just a great environment that we're trying to start to build again here, and this is that next step that way, besides just an empty quiet stadium with our cameras rolling," Haas told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday afternoon.

With Crook and Deschutes counties moving into the Low and Moderate Risk levels, respectively, on Friday, spectators at sporting events are no longer prohibited.

Under Gov. Kate Brown's revised guidance, the maximum capacity for outdoor gatherings in Low Risk counties such as Crook County is 300 people.

Crook County High Athletic Director Rob Bonner said Wednesday that will likely allow his school to welcome 200 spectators (also wearing masks) at their home football game on Friday.

"I can't really put into words how good it feels to be able to offer something to our athletes who work so hard, and to their parents who have supported them all these years," Bonner told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday.

It will be limited to home fans only. Contact tracing and coronavirus questionnaires will also be a part of their plan.

Meanwhile, Jefferson County will have to wait until it drops out of the High Risk category.

Below in full the spectator guidelines issued Wednesday by Bend-La Pine Schools (Redmond School District Athletic Director Doug Taylor and Sisters School District Athletic Director Gary Thorson said their high schools have a similar plan in place):

Starting on Thursday, March 11, we will begin inviting players’ families (these numbers will be capped to meet state rules) to join our student-athletes as they participate in competitions at our home facilities

We are thankful to our state leaders who have made the addition of spectators possible for our home team families at athletic contests.

Volleyball, Home Matches

Thursday, March 11 (Deschutes County level: High Risk) - Up to 50 spectators, per OHA’s Indoor Sector Guidance

On, and after, Friday, March 12 (Deschutes County level: Moderate) Up to 100 spectators, per OHA’s Indoor Sector Guidance

• Home team student-athletes will be provided tickets, per available spots, for family members to attend and cheer on their players at each home game.
• Spectators will complete COVID-19 screening at the door and attest to being symptom free prior to entry.
• Masks will be required to be worn over the nose and mouth, hand sanitizer will be readily available, and families will be asked to sit together and distance themselves by at least six-feet from others.
• Signage and announcements regarding COVID-19 best practices will be made frequently during events.
• Spectators will vacate facility in a timely fashion following event; congregating at entry/exits, parking lots, or waiting for athletes will not be allowed (Waiting must be done in vehicles.)
• Staff will serve as monitors to help enforce distancing in seating/standing zones, masking requirements, restroom usage, and traffic flow.
• Concessions will be suspended.

Soccer, Home Matches

Thursday, March 11 (Deschutes County level: High Risk) - Up to 75 spectators, per OHA’s Outdoor Sector Guidance

On, and after, Friday, March 12 (Deschutes County level: Moderate) - Up to 150 spectators, per OHA’s Outdoor Sector Guidance

• Home team student-athletes will be provided tickets, per available spots, for family members to attend and cheer on their players at each home game.
• Spectators will complete COVID-19 screening at the gate and attest to being symptom free their health prior to entry.
• Masks will be required to be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, hand sanitizer will be readily available, and families will be asked to sit/stand together and distance themselves by at least six-feet from others.
• Signage and announcements regarding COVID-19 best practices will be made frequently during events.
• Spectators will vacate facility in a timely fashion following event; congregating at entry/exits, parking lots, or waiting for athletes will not be allowed. (Waiting must be done in vehicles.)
• Staff will serve as monitors to help enforce distancing in seating/standing zones, masking requirements, restroom usage, and traffic flow.
• Concessions will be suspended.

Cross Country, Home Meets

Thursday, March 11 (Deschutes County level: High Risk) - Up to 75 spectators, per OHA’s Outdoor Sector Guidance

On, and after, Friday, March 12 (Deschutes County level: Moderate) - Up to 150 spectators, per OHA’s Outdoor Sector Guidance

• Home team student-athletes will be provided tickets, per available spots, for family members to attend and cheer on their players at each home meet.
• Runners will be released in waves to reduce the number of athletes in proximity to one-another and to increase the opportunity for additional spectators.
• Spectators will complete COVID-19 screening at the gate and attest to being symptom free their health prior to entry.
• Masks will be required to be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, hand sanitizer will be readily available, and families will be asked to sit/stand together and distance themselves by at least six-feet from others.
• Signage and announcements regarding COVID-19 best practices made frequently during events.
• Spectators will vacate facility in a timely fashion following event; congregating at entry/exits, parking lots, or waiting for athletes will not be allowed. (Waiting must be done in vehicles.)
• Staff will serve as monitors to help enforce distancing in seating/standing zones, masking requirements, restroom usage, and traffic flow.
• Concessions will be suspended.

Football, Home Games

Thursday, March 11 (Deschutes County level: High Risk) - Up to 75 spectators, per OHA’s Outdoor Sector Guidance

On, and after, Friday, March 12 (Deschutes County level: Moderate) - Up to 150 spectators, per OHA’s Outdoor Sector Guidance

• Home team student-athletes will be provided tickets, per available spots, for family members to attend and cheer on their players at each home game.
• Spectators will complete COVID-19 screening at the gate and attest to being symptom free their health prior to entry.
• Masks will be required to be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, hand sanitizer will be readily available, and families will be asked to sit/stand together and distance themselves by at least six-feet from others.
• Signage and announcements regarding COVID-19 best practices made frequently during events.
• Spectators will vacate facility in a timely fashion following event; congregating at entry/exits, parking lots, or waiting for athletes will not be allowed. (Waiting must be done in vehicles.)
• Staff will serve as monitors to help enforce distancing in seating/standing zones, masking requirements, restroom usage, and traffic flow.
• Concessions will be suspended.