In an email sent to parents on Friday, Missoula County Public Schools officials announced that high school sports will be following directives from the Missoula City-County Health Department.
MCCHD announced these guidelines for sporting events
•The host or home school must ensure that all spectators in attendance follow the requirements in “Events and Gatherings with More than 50 People” on the health departments website.
•All spectators ages 5 and up must wear a cloth face covering.
•All players and cheer squads must wear a cloth face covering except when playing on the field or performing cheer activities.
•Coaches and staff must wear a mask at all times.
MCCHD also announced these specific guidelines for football:
•Class AA football is limited to 60 people per team or side (including players,coaches, staff and volunteers) or 120 total counting both home and away sides.
•Class A, Band C football are limited to 45 people per team or side (including players, coaches, staff, and volunteers) or 90 total counting both home and away sides.
•Six-foot distancing shall be maintained on the bench and sidelines except during necessary interaction by coaches and staff.
•No concession sales or half-time activities, including marching band, are allowed.
•Cheer squad members must remain at a six-foot distance and wear a cloth face covering except when performing cheer activities.
•Home team players and home cheer squad members may receive two spectator tickets each and only spectators with a ticket may attend the event. In crosstown athletic events where the schools of both teams are within Missoula County, both teams’ players and cheer squads’ members may receive two spectator tickets.
•Schools will not be allowed to host away team spectators if the away team is from outside of Missoula County.
MCPS is asking for parent and student cooperation with these guidelines.
MCPS will reassess procedures after the first 4 weeks of competition.
