Safety plan for high school athletics

Safety plan for high school athletics

Came within the past week!

Thank you for joining us tonight -- i'm pat simon.

Najahe and dan have the night off.

Just a few hours ago -- madison county schools released its safety plan for athletic games and practices this school year.

During sporting events -- social distancing will be enforced and masks will be required.

Waay 31's casey albritton is live at madison county high school where the first football game of the season will happen this friday.

Casey, what other coronavirus-related precautions will be in place?

This school year stadiums are being limited to 60 percent capacity-- and all game participants, including coaches and staff members will have their temperatures taken before going inside.

Haley atchley/ student "kind of sad.

We aren't going to be able to have what we expected to have as a senior, but at least we are still getting to have it no matter what."

Madison county high school senior haley atchley is on the varsity cheerleading team-- and because of the coronavirus pandemic, cheering won't be the same this year.

Haley atchley/ student "it's going to be difficult not being able to play with the little kids during half-time and stuff like that..."

Madison county schools athletic director lavell everett says the 60- percent stadium capacity could change as the year continues based on the number of coronavirus cases in the area.

He also says groups from the same household will need to stick together.

Lavell everett/ athletic director "be sure your kids are with you at all times.

Typically they run around and have a good time at ball games, that's what kids like to do, but we are going to ask our parents to keep their kids with them at all times."

Everett says band members and cheerleaders will be required to keep six feet between each other.

And if fans are not wearing masks or social distancing, they could be asked to leave.

Lavell everett/ athletic director "people have been asked to leave ball games before.

This is a health and safety issue that doesn't affect that one person so we are going to work with people."

Atchley says despite the new rules for football games, she doesn't think there will be any less excitement.

Haley atchley/ student "fans will still get into it because at least we are still getting to have football season."

She says her team can't wait to get back on the field.

Haley atchley/ student "all we have to do is keep pushing through, that's all we can do."

The district says there will be a designated area in each stadium for those fans who are at "high risk."

You can see more of the new rules on our web site, waay tv dot com live in huntsville, casey albritton, waay